Comparison of High-Risk Behaviors, Early Maladaptive Schemas, and Self-Conscious Affect (Shame and Guilt) in Delinquent and Normal Adolescents

This study aimed to compare high-risk behaviors, early maladaptive schemas, and self-conscious affect (shame and guilt) between delinquent and non-delinquent adolescents in Shiraz, Iran. The sample consisted of 140 participants (70 delinquent adolescents from a correctional center and 70 normal adolescents from the general population), selected via purposive sampling (delinquent group) and multistage cluster random sampling (normal group). Data were collected using the Iranian Adolescent Risk-Taking Scale (IARS), Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ), and Tangney’s Self-Conscious Affect Scale (SCAS) and analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Results indicated that delinquent adolescents scored significantly higher (p < 0.05) in most high-risk behaviors (except dangerous driving) and in maladaptive schemas (particularly Disconnection/Rejection, Other-Directedness, Impaired Autonomy, and Impaired Performance domains). However, no significant differences were found in the Overvigilance/Inhibition and Insufficient Self-Control/Self-Discipline schemas, nor in shame and guilt levels. These findings highlight the role of maladaptive schemas and high-risk behaviors in delinquency, suggesting the need for psychological interventions targeting schema modification and risk behavior reduction in at-risk youth.