Why Do Young People Engage in Delinquency and Problem Drinking? Views From Adolescents and Stakeholders

Abstract

Objective: Socially deviant and health-compromising behaviours are prevalent among adolescents living in Australia. The aim of this study was to explore from the perspectives of adolescents, and those involved in the provision of their care, potential reasons for youth delinquency and problematic drinking styles. Method:Participants were recruited purposively and comprised adolescents (n = 16) and stakeholders (n = 20), including youth mental health workers (n = 7), school teachers/counsellors (n = 7), and police officers (n = 6). An open-ended question was used to prompt group discussion around why young people engage in deviant behaviour, including problem drinking. Responses were transcribed and analysed thematically. Results: Participants identified a number of factors that potentially underpin delinquent behaviour. These results were summarised within three global themes: social determinants (e.g. parenting practices), reinforcement histories (e.g. social endorsement), and individual determinants (e.g. personality traits).Conclusions: Multi-disciplinary interventions addressing these causes are likely to result in optimal outcomes.

Juvenile Delinquency: A Need to Multiple Explanations and Interventions

“…Moreover, [18] assumptions seem to be realistic that children living in antisocial families, large family size, poor parental supervision, parental conflict, and disrupted families environments are at increased risk for offending because their parents may teach them to be delinquent via their words and/or actions. The work of [17] also strengthens the results of, [18] that data received from police officers were also revealed adolescents who were frequently in trouble with the law often came from families with criminal histories.…”

“…From a behavioral psychology perspective, peer approval, social modelling, enjoyment, escape, and status were identified as reinforcing adolescent delinquency and problem drinking behaviors. For example, enjoyment positively reinforces crime and alcohol use in that it incites fun, whereas escape negatively reinforces crime or alcohol use as engagement in these activities helps the teenager avoid uncomfortable feelings or events [17].…”

“…Peer approval may be particularly relevant for adolescents who are experiencing conflict at home or who have weakened attachments to prosocial role models, such as parents or teachers [17]. Furthermore, researchers on the area reported that low self-control which was due to poor parenting practices were found to be the primary cause of offending [21].…”

“…Example effective school-based interventions focusing on peer influences include the life skills training [18]. Consequently, [17] suggested peer programs to prevent delinquency by reducing the negative influence of delinquent peers via increasing the positive influence of prosocial peers.…”

“…Peer teaching as a method to battle against the development problem behavior in general and delinquency in particular are tested universally among students at schools and became effective. For example, [17] employed it through facilitating discussion and role play by asking students to practice with their classmates skills to avoid violent and provocative behaviors.…”