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Abstract
This study tested the generality of Problem Behavior Theory (PBT) in explaining adolescents' problem behavior in Iran. Data were collected from 392 adolescents (Mage = 15.97, SD = 1.12, 55.4% girls) who completed the Adolescent Health and Development Questionnaire (AHDQ) to assess the individual vulnerability, opportunity risk availability, perceived support, and delinquent behaviors. Results indicated that individual vulnerability and opportunity risk availability had a significant relationship with delinquent behaviors and a significant interaction with perceived support in their influence on delinquent behaviors. Further, perceived support was negatively associated with delinquent behaviors. Our results were consistent with PBT's explanatory model for adolescents' problem behavior in Western countries and are informative about problem behavior involvement among Iranian adolescents and the design of interventions.
Highlights
Delinquent behavior refers to an action the commitment of which confronts the offender to the laws of the civil society [1]
Results indicated that delinquent behavior had a significant positive correlation with individual vulnerability variables consisting of felt stress (r = 0.16, p < 0.01), felt depression (r = 0.17, p < 0.01), low expectation for success (r = 0.21, p < 0.01), low expectations for school achievement (r = 0.36, p < 0.01), and low self-esteem (r = 0.41, p < 0.01)
Delinquent behavior was positively associated with opportunity risk availability variables, including cigarettes and alcohol at home (r = 0.51, p < 0.01) and access to gangs (r = 0.41, p < 0.01)
Summary
Delinquent behavior refers to an action the commitment of which confronts the offender to the laws of the civil society [1]. A broad range of behavioral problems such as antisocial behavior [12], drug use [13], and alcohol consumption [14] appears during adolescents. Several studies examined problem behaviors among adolescents in Iran, which were primarily epidemiological [e.g., [16,17,18]]. Rashid [18] studied the prevalence of problem behaviors among adolescents in Iran; results indicated that hookah smoking (51.5%), cigarette smoking (35.2%), beating outside the house (except school) (28.1%), and drinking (27.4%) were respectively the most common problem behaviors among adolescents. Adolescents involved in problem behaviors are more likely to have problems in different areas, such as lower psychosocial adaptation or physical health, poorer life expectations, and a difficult transition into adulthood [19]. Adolescent problem behaviors may result in long-term developmental problems, continuing to adulthood, though these behaviors may not become chronic for most of them [20]
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