Beneath the rage: The internalized social scripts of criminally violent adolescents

This study examines the internalized social scripts of 51 adolescents, 11--18 years, who were convicted of a violent crime against another person, asking what internalized working models or social scripts might compel a young person to physically assault another human being. These scripts emerged from an analysis of TAT narratives which participants produced in response to Cards 1 and 3BM of the TAT. Criminally violent adolescents produced scripts which suggest they perceive themselves to be Powerless with Low Self-Worth. They evidenced a Lack of Familial Care and Concern, and portrayed themselves as Socially Incompetent and Self-Harming. They also depicted themselves as being influenced by Coercive Adult Authority and a Violent Social World. In the resolution of their relational conflicts, this group of young people identified one hopeful script in Seeking Relational Support. Implications for clinical intervention were explored, with an emphasis on bolstering the developmental assets of this vulnerable population. This study was qualitative and descriptive in nature, therefore caution is urged in generalizing the results.