COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, MENTAL HEALTH AND ROLE PERFORMANCE

Abstract

A questionnaire method, the Interests and Activities Inventory, is used to quantify an individual''s community involvement. The method attempts an inventory of the individual''s social behavior and a classification of it by 2 main principles or dimensions. A dimension of "distance" from the subject is called "Radius," and a dimension of quantity or "density" of behavior at each Radius is called "Magnitude. " Five adolescent and young adult populations, including delinquent, collegiate, and Peace Corps groups, are studied and the results discussed. The method demonstrates significantly different Social Engagement Scores within and among populations. If these scores are taken to represent real personality differences, social class emerges as a crucial determinant of an aspect of personality. The method also shows agreement with independent estimates of academic performance and of mental health.