Description of the Questionnaire

The Delinquent Activities Scale (DAS) was developed based on the Self-Reported Delinquency Scale (SRD) by Elliott and colleagues (1983) and aims to assess delinquent behaviors as well as the role of alcohol and marijuana in such behaviors. It consists of forty items covering a wide range of behaviors, such as theft, violence, substance use, vandalism, and rule violations. Respondents are asked to report whether they have ever engaged in the behavior, the age of first and last occurrence, the frequency of the behavior, whether alcohol, marijuana, or other substances were involved, and whether they felt remorse or would repeat the act. The questionnaire includes specific subscales such as predatory aggression, stealing and generalized delinquency, stealing and impulsive delinquency, and drug dealing and aggressive behavior.

Data Analysis and Use

The analysis of responses allows for the estimation of the frequency and severity of delinquent behaviors, the assessment of the role of substances (alcohol, marijuana, other drugs), the identification of age-related patterns regarding the first and last occurrence of such behaviors, and the evaluation of remorse or lack thereof. The data can be used in research settings, for studies on delinquency among adolescents and adults, as well as in clinical or correctional contexts, for risk assessment of recidivism and the planning of interventions.

Aim

The main aim of the DAS is to provide a valid and reliable tool for assessing delinquent behaviors, with a particular focus on their association with substance use. It seeks to diagnose and classify delinquent patterns, to facilitate preventive interventions, and to deepen the understanding of causal factors related to juvenile delinquency.

Calibration

According to Reavy and colleagues (2012), the DAS demonstrates satisfactory psychometric properties. Scoring is based on the frequency of each behavior, the association with substance use, and the presence or absence of remorse. Results can be grouped according to subscales, providing a detailed picture of different types of delinquent behavior.

References

Reavy, R., Stein, L. A. R., Paiva, A., Quina, K., & Rossi, J. S. (2012). Validation of the delinquent activities scale for incarcerated adolescents. Addictive Behaviors, 37, 875–879. Elliott, D. S., Ageton, S. S., Huizinga, D., Knowles, B. A., & Canter, R. J. (1983). The prevalence and incidence of delinquent behavior: 1976–1980 (National Youth Survey Report No. 26). Boulder, CO: Behavioral Research Institute. Dembo, R., & Schmeidler, J. (2003). A classification of high-risk use. Crime & Delinquency, 49, 201–230. Dembo, R., Walters, W., & Meyers, K. (2005). A practice/research collaborative: An innovative approach to identifying and responding to psychosocial functioning problems and recidivism risk among juvenile arrestees. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 41, 39–66. Elliott, D. S., Huizinga, D., & Ageton, S. (1985). Explaining delinquency and drug use. Beverly Hills: Sage Publications. Huizinga, D. (1991). Assessing violent behavior with self-reports. In J. S. Milner (Ed.), Neuropsychology of aggression (pp. 44–76). Boston: Kluwer Academic. Huizinga, D., & Esbensen, F. (1988). Common measures of the program of research on the causes and correlates of delinquency. Report to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Washington DC.