The present study examined the factorial and predictive validity of the Carlson Psychological Survey with male adolescent offenders (n = 350). Factor analysis revealed that, in general, the Carlson is well represented by five scales. Of the four content scales, Antisocial Tendencies proved to be the best of a variety of predictors of institutional adjustment. Thought Disturbance and Self-Depreciation were unrelated to staff ratings on the Behavior Problem Checklist 'Personality Problem' Scale; however, they were positively correlated with the Social Anxiety and Withdrawal scales of the Jesness Inventory. The pattern of these correlations, as well as those between Antisocial Tendencies and the behavioral data, suggest that the Carlson Psychological Survey may be a good indicator of internalizing versus externalizing behavioral and attitudinal styles.

The Carlson Psychological Survey is a personality inventory designed for use with incarcerated young adults. The present study examined several psychometric properties of this test with a male adolescent offender population. The test's four content scales (Chemical Abuse, Thought Disturbance, Antisocial Tendencies, and Self-Depreciation) were found to be internally consistent, reliable over time, moderately intercorrelated, and generally unrelated to age, IQ, or social desirability. The test's validity scale was found to be less reliable than the content scales. Adolescent norms were calculated and were found to be similar to Carlson's (1981) young adult norms. Overall, the Carlson Psychological Survey was recommended as a personality screening test for young offenders.