| Summary: | Research on gender differences in the relation between emotional functioning and
psychopathology is scarce, particularly with aggressive and antisocial adolescents. The
purpose of the present study was to progress beyond what is already known about
juvenile delinquents by delineating the relation of dimensions of emotional functioning
(i.e., emotional intelligence and emotional states) to dimensions of psychopathology (i.e.,
internalizing problems and externalizing problems) and dimensions of aggression
(aggression against persons, aggression against property), among delinquent boys and
girls.
Forty-four delinquent boys and 40 delinquent girls incarcerated in a youth
correctional center participated in the study. All participants were individually
administered measures designed to assess emotional intelligence, Positive and Negative
Affect states, internalizing and externalizing psychopathology, and aggression.
Results revealed that gender differences in the relation of emotional functioning
to psychopathology and aggression are complex. Gender differences were found for
internalizing problems, aggression, and negative affect, although not for externalizing
problems. Overall, regression analyses revealed that emotional functioning (i.e.,
emotional intelligence and/or emotional states) was a significant predictor of
psychopathology only, for both delinquent boys and girls, although gender differences
emerged with regard to the dimension of psychopathology predicted. These results point
to the importance of examining gender differences for uncovering potential pathways or
vulnerabilities toward maladjustment, and alternatively, toward promoting healthy
development.
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