Psychotypological determinants of the resocialization potential of juvenile offenders under non-custodial sentences

Community sanctions are increasingly preferred over detention for juveniles, yet outcomes remain inconsistent. This study proposes that psychotypology, defined by reflection, forecasting/goal-setting, value orientation, subjectivity (agency), motivational set, and coping style, determines resocialization potential under non-custodial sentences. A sample of N = 600 juveniles in Ukrainian probation (suspended sentences) was assessed using projective future tasks ("My Day in Five Years"; "25 Desires"), Heckhausen's Achievement Motivation Test, an assertiveness-under-frustration measure, and structured value/agency indices. A four-type classification was derived and distributions compared using Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests. Four psychotypes were identified: situational (n = 160), context-dependent (n = 220), personally conditioned (n = 150), and impulsive (n = 70). Situational youths combined subjectivity and achievement motivation with moderate reflective/forecasting deficits and expressed remorse; they scored

higher in reflection and forecasting than all other groups (p ≤ 01). Context-dependent youths showed absent subjectivity, avoidance motivation, low reflection/forecasting, and group-led offending, indicating the lowest resocialization potential. Personally conditioned youths demonstrated strong subjectivity and achievement orientation but egoistic values, low reflection, and frequent aggression, suggesting ambivalent outcomes. Impulsive youths displayed weak forecasting, low subjectivity, avoidance motivation, and frustration-driven aggression. Across profiles, reflection and prospective control emerged as primary indicators of readiness for change. [Publisher's text]