Psychological Boundaries Influencing the Indicators of Impaired Subjectivity in Delinquent Adolescents

Abstract

Background. Current transformation of the psychological boundaries of the individual caused by globalization, digitalization and virtualization of living space makes the topic relevant. Children and adolescents, especially those who initially experience various socialization difficulties, are most influenced by the ongoing sociocultural changes.

Objective. The purpose of the work is to study the influence of psychological boundaries on the aspects of impaired subjectivity and the attitude of delinquent adolescents to the acceptance of norms and social values.

Study Participants. The study involved 74 respondents from closed educational institutions and 129 respondents from general educational institutions, not registered in the system of prevention the neglect and juvenile delinquency. All participants were adolescent boys aged 13 to 15 years.

Methods. The study uses such questionnaires as “The level of development of personality subjectivity” (M.A. Shchukina), “Psychological boundaries” (E. Hartmann), “Sovereignty of psychological space — 2010” (S.K. Nartova-Bochaver). Statistical methods included correlation analysis, Student’s t-test, structural equation modeling.

Results. A Model of the influence of psychological boundaries of personality on aspects of impaired subjectivity in delinquent adolescents has been developed. It has been shown that the deformation of the strength and safety of psychological boundaries in delinquent adolescents has an impact on the violation of their subjectivity in relation to such indicators as integrity, self-worth, mediation and autonomy. The central disorganizing element of the link “psychological boundaries — subjectivity of personality” in delinquent adolescents is the problem of body sovereignty.

Conclusions. The most vulnerable element of subjectivity in delinquent adolescents is the loss of self-worth. Thus, for delinquent adolescents, the formation of authenticity (being oneself). The meanings a teenager fills this period of growing up with and the preferred values reflect the state of personal boundaries, and “sovereignty” as a personality trait.