Comparison of perception of social-self concept in juvenile offenders and their peers

Youth or adolescence is developmental period known for identity development (Lacković, Grgin, 2005.) and picture of self (Dacey, Kenny, 1994.). Difficulties in youth social development and forming healthy picture of self can mark their social functioning. Youth in Croatia are facing „double“ transition: going through the stage of growing up and preparing for permanent social roles and living in society transforming into another form (Ilišin, Radin, 2002.). Former studies show such societies confuse youth and encourage development of socially unacceptable behavior (Piko, Vazsonyi, 2004.). The paper shows research results about social self-functioning (one dimension in picture of self). The goal was to determine weather youth with socially unacceptable behavior (perpetrators of criminal acts) perceive their social functioning worst compared to their peers who did not commit criminal acts. Social self-functioning was examined by social self-functioning scale (one of OSIQs scale). The examinees are male attendants of secondary schools (N=432) and male perpetrators of criminal acts with non-institutional and institutional sanctions (N=372). The work shows youth assessment of social functioning in closer environment, in society, moral values and school and work functioning. The differences between groups are assessed by t-test and analysis of variance.