Social Intelligence Deficits and Aggression in Children in Conflict with the Law: A Comparative Study with Typically Developing Adolescents

This cross-sectional study examines the relationship between social intelligence (SI) and delinquency in Children in Conflict with the Law (CCL) and Typically Developing Adolescents (TDA) in Karnataka, India. SI was assessed using the Social Intelligence Scale (SIS), while behavioural problems were measured with the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). Aggression was evaluated using the Reactive-Proactive Aggression Questionnaire (RPAQ). Results showed that CCL had significantly lower SI scores across all domains, including social insight, cooperativeness, and sensitivity (p < 0.001). These deficits were linked to increased social problems and both reactive and proactive aggression. The study highlights the role of SI in delinquency and suggests that interventions targeting empathy, social skills, and relationships may improve rehabilitation outcomes.