Personality Traits, Age and Order of Birth: Predictive Factors of Deviant Behavior among Juvenile Delinquents

Abstract

Background: Adolescent engagement in morbid delinquency has grown exponentially not just in India but throughout the world, and this poses a serious issue for social and criminal justice. Objective: This study explores the relationship between personality traits—specifically neuroticism and extraversion—and demographic factors such as age and birth order to assess their predictive role in deviant behaviour among juvenile delinquents in India. Materials and Methods: This research study included 150 male juvenile delinquents from Delhi observation home and 150 Juvenile non-delinquents as controls aged 13–18 were assessed using the Indian adaptation of Eysenck’s Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI) using purposive sampling. Demographic data on age and birth order were collected using a semi-structured interview schedule. Data were analysed using t-tests and ANOVA. Results: Juvenile delinquents exhibited significantly higher neuroticism and extraversion scores compared to non-delinquents (p <.01). Birth order showed a significant association with extraversion but not with neuroticism. Adolescents aged 16–18 demonstrated greater neurotic tendencies compared to younger participants. Conclusion: The findings suggest that personality traits and demographic factors like age and birth order can contribute to understanding juvenile deviance. These insights may help develop preventive strategies and inform juvenile justice policy reforms.