A Sill if THE EFFECT UPON THE SELF CONCEPT o Of DELINQUENTS!NEN INTERACTION TAKES PLACE E WITH MENTAL PATIENTS

The primary concern of this research was to examine the effect, on the self concept of delinquent male adolescents, of a relationship in which they perceive themselves as helpers to other human beings. A group of 20 delinquents were paired with patients at a mental hospital. A comparable control group was selected. All procedures and measurement instruments are described. Results indicate that the institutionalized delinquent youghs who were involved in the treatment condition developed a positive self concept when compared to the control group. No "spin off " effect was reflected in academic improvement. Though such a goal was not included, it was also found that patients involved with the delinquents improved more on pre-selected behaviors thln did a control grout of patients. (TL) TT.