Authors : Gulumser Gultekin Akduman and Meltem Colak
Abstract: Child development is a dynamic process. In this process, some difficulties like childs own incapacity, rapid urbanization, migration and economic crisis, confusion due to changing value judgment and code of ethics, familial problems, insufficient education, lack of interest and affection etc orientate them to criminal behaviours. The first step of preventing child delinquency is determining risk factors and then to eliminate. This study identified the level of depression in delinquent children and determined the factors that may influence their delinquency. The study sample included 136 children aged 12-15 and included juvenile delinquents (n = 68) and non-delinquents (n = 68) in Ankara in Turkey. The data were collected via the General Information Form and Beck Depression Inventory. The data was analyzed via one way variance analysis and two ways variance analysis. The findings of this study indicate that depression levels vary depending on the age and gender of the child (p<0.01, p<0.05). Furthermore, for delinquent children migration affected depression levels (p<0.01, p<0.05).
Gulumser Gultekin Akduman and Meltem Colak , 2008. The Depression Levels of Delinquent Children in Turkey. The Social Sciences, 3: 273-278.