Abstract
Adolescents who break the law or deviate from social norms are often criminalized as their behavior is perceived as resulting from conscious choices. However, it is likely that such choices result from their circumstances, namely the failure of their proximal environment to safeguard their wellbeing. The purpose of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the background variables and choices that led these institutionalized adolescents down the road of deviance. We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured in-depth interviews, conducted between March and May 2018, with 18 participants aged between 15 to 19 years. Participants were purposefully sampled from various welfare institutions in the states of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, Malaysia. Audio recordings of interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. We found three core themes, (i) Sources of Distress, (ii) Drivers of Deviance, and (iii) Adjustment Strategies for Coping with Distress, which appeared to have influenced participants’ life trajectories and eventual institutionalization. The findings showed that participants were disadvantaged by backgrounds of risk and vulnerability, characterized by a lack of social support and opportunities for personal development, negative schooling experiences, and negative peer interactions. Substance abuse, which provided a coping strategy for the participants, may have further contributed to their delinquency. Drawing upon the socio ecological model (SEM), we systematically identify interventional opportunities at the individual, community, and policy levels to safeguard the wellbeing of at-risk adolescents. We make recommendations aimed at improving the family dynamics, promoting a healthy schooling experience, and transforming neighborhoods into a safe and nurturing environment.
Highlights
IntroductionIt is a pervasive social phenomenon that threatens the peace of a community and productivity of a country [1]
The scale of the problem is reflected by the significant worldwide prevalence of adolescents who are in conflict with the law and currently institutionalized
Dysfunctional family dynamics seemed to be a prevalent circumstance in the lives of the participants, which is consistent with the literature in Malaysia [33] and in other countries [34]
Summary
It is a pervasive social phenomenon that threatens the peace of a community and productivity of a country [1]. The scale of the problem is reflected by the significant worldwide prevalence of adolescents who are in conflict with the law and currently institutionalized. The understanding, or definition, of delinquency varies from one society or country to another as a result of cultural and historical factors, as well as traditional religious laws. ‘juvenile delinquent’ is a term used to refer to a minor who has committed an illegal act [2] that constitutes a criminal [3] and status offenses [4]. According to the Malaysian Ministry of Education, delinquency in school includes violation of both the Penal Code and the school norms as cited in Hussin, 2007
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