Self-Destructive Behavior in Urban Middle School Males

As a Predictor of Adult Incarceration

By

Raphael B. Johnson

Gwynedd Mercy University, 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a direct relation between self-destructive perceptions and behavioral patterns of urban middle school males and the those recalled by formerly incarcerated adult males of their lived experiences as middle school students. Twenty formerly incarcerated adult males contributed to identifying perspectives while in middle school that led to self-destructive behavior, disciplinary referrals, drop-outs, criminal activities and their eventual incarceration. The interview instrument assessed subjects’ perceptions, sociocultural backgrounds, educational levels, disciplinary referrals, and crimes they committed. This qualitative exploratory case study quantified a relation between the perceptions and behavior patterns of urban middle school males, as described in the literature, and those exhibited by formerly incarcerated adult males when they attended an urban middle school. The results of this study may assist educators, parents, social workers, youth counselors and youth advocates in identifying self-destructive behavior traits at the urban middle school level. This information may allow these stakeholders to intervene with applicable resources, behavior plans, the development of best practices and appropriate treatment where necessary. The findings of this study suggested a need to further investigate and identify what kinds of support programs and services that may be the most effective in curbing

Raphael B. Johnson - Gwynedd Mercy University, 2020

self-destructive behavior in urban middle school males and the engagement in victimization that ultimately leads to incarceration.

Keywords: Urban Middle Schools, Self-Destructive Behavior, Perspectives, Adult Incarceration, Juvenile Delinquency, Collateral Consequences, Cognitive Distortions, Social Death