Risk Factors Associated with Juvenile Delinquency: Implications for Intervention

Abstract

Juvenile delinquency is a critical social issue affecting communities globally. This paper examines risk factors associated with adolescent delinquency and implications for interventions. The key points in findings emphasize the importance of early externalizing behaviors, maternal mental health, peer relations and socio-economic status. Detecting children with significant externalizing behavior early is as essential as realizing that maternal depression plus victimization significantly impact those behaviors. Positive parent-child relationships reduce delinquency risks — which has been evidenced by studies conducted in Saint Lucia and Chile on effective family supervision. However, this varies due to different cultures and environments. Differences were observed among India, Australia, and the US. Influence from peers can also be very significant. Having deviant peer associations increases likelihood of delinquency, while having adult social support or religious beliefs decreases it considerably — along with having positive future aspirations. In the future, long-term and multidimensional intervention studies are needed, to better understand juvenile delinquency and, therefore, prevent it more effectively.