Convergent and Predictive Validity of the Jesness Inventory in a Sample of Juvenile Offenders

The present study examined the convergent and predictive validity of the Jesness Inventories (JI) in a sample of 138 juvenile offenders, completed in the course of routine service delivery. JI profiles were compared with ratings on three standardized forensic clinical scales: the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory, Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version, and Violence Risk Scale–Youth Version. The JI Asocial Index and the Undersocialized Active and Group-Oriented Conformist Interpersonal Maturity Level (I-level) subtypes demonstrated the strongest pattern of convergence and most consistently predicted recidivism. The Asocial Index did not incrementally predict recidivism after controlling for scores on the standardized forensic clinical scales; however, meaningful differences among broad I-Level groups (I-3 and I-4) remained after controlling for risk. Risk-need-responsivity applications of the JI (i.e., in terms of treatment dosage, identifying treatment targets, and adaptation of services) are discussed within the context of a comprehensive forensic assessment framework to inform case formulation, service delivery, and decision making with justice involved youth.

The Interpersonal Maturity Level Classification System I-Level

The Interpersonal Maturity Level Classification System, more commonly known as I-level, is designed to increase treatment effectiveness with delinquent youths. Consisting of both a developmental classification and a response-style typology, it clarifies differences and similarities among youths in ways that permit matching of clients with treaters, treatment strategies, and treatment environments. Its central role in California's highly-publicized Community Treatment Project resulted in spread of its use within juvenile corrections as well as considerable acclaim and criticism from researchers and policy analysts. This article summarizes I-level's development, classification methods, current status, and future developments.

The Relationship Between Conceptual Level and Communicative Competence in French

This study explored the relationship between conceptual level a social cognitive variable and second language communicative competence. Conceptual level indexes both cognitive complexity and interpersonal maturity which have been related to first language communicative abilities. The research hypotheses stated that conceptual level was related to the development of communicative competence while foreign language aptitude was related to linguistic competence (mastery of the structural components of a second language).Conceptual level was found to be related to both communicative and linguistic competence(r = .54, p < .001;r = .48, p < .001)as was foreign language aptitude(r = .40, p < .01; r = .41, p < .01). However, foreign language aptitude was not found to be related to linguistic competence when conceptual level was statistically controlled (r = .20, p < .135). Conceptual level, on the other hand, was found to be related to communicative competence when foreign language aptitude was statistically controlled (r = .42, p < .01). Thus, conceptual level appears to be an important individual variable in second language learning.

Verbal IQ and the I-Level Classification System for Delinquents

Previous work suggested that the I-level ("I" for "interpersonal maturity") typology for offenders might depend heavily—and unexpectedly—upon Verbal IQ. The present article confirms the previous suggestion that I-level and Verbal IQ are significantly related—for males, but not for females. However, the effect among males disappeared when age was introduced as a variable. Future work on I-level theory should control for several variables: sex, ethnicity, Verbal IQ, and age. Two of the variables, age and Verbal IQ (which is already corrected for age) unexpectedly related strongly, prompting questions as to why lower Verbal IQ's were characteristic of younger versus older offenders.