Delinquent Youth Research Articles

Governing the boundary: between socio-environmental vulnerability and state capacity in Temajuk Village, Indonesia

This research explored the challenges and solutions to governing Indonesian border areas, with a particular focused on Temajuk Village in Sambas Regency, West Kalimantan Province. The research highlighted two critical issues: increased smuggling of illegal goods and socio-environmental vulnerabilities, particularly regarding the conservation of endangered sea turtles. The research identified systemic weaknesses, including inadequate state capacity, limited law enforcement and socio-economic disparity factors that exacerbate transnational challenges. The findings exposed potential national threats caused by geographic isolation, and porous borders that facilitate illicit activities, such as drug and alcoholic drinks smuggling, with serious social consequences, including youth delinquency, early marriage, declining education levels, and increased health risks, such as the spread of HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, unsustainable exploitation of sea turtles for cultural and economic purposes also threatens biodiversity. This article proposes a multifaceted strategy to address these interrelated issues, prioritizing effective border management, sustainable economic development, and strong community engagement. Strengthening institutional and individual capacities at the village level, improving law enforcement and encouraging cross-sectoral cooperation between village, district, provincial and national governments are essential. Highlighting the threats to Temajuk Village, this research promotes evidence-based local strategies that align national security with ecological and social well-being and offers insights into sustainable governance in border areas.

중학생 비행에 관한 국내 연구 동향 분석: 2015∼2024년 4월 게재된 학술지 코로나 전⋅후 비교

Objectives By analyzing the research trends on middle school delinquency before and after the coronavirus, focusing on KCI-registered journals in Korea, we aim to provide directions for intervention and prevention in future middle school delinquency research through research implications and suggestions. Methods To this end, we searched for ‘youth delinquency’ published in Korea from 2015 to April 2024 and papers dealing with middle school students' delinquency with the keywords of middle school students. 56 of the 190 middle school student flight papers were reviewed, and trends by period and academic field, data collection and data analysis trends, and trends by research variable were analyzed according to the analysis criteria. Results First, As a result of examining by research period, it can be seen that 11 studies were conducted in 2015, and then 3-4 studies were conducted, and from 2021, 9 studies have been continuously conducted with a rapid increase. Second, when looking at the collection of research data, it can be seen that most of the studies were based on panel data in post-COVID-19 studies, unlike pre-COVID studies that used panel data from various institutions. The Korean Children and Youth Panel was the most frequently used phenal data before and after COVID-19, and it was used in 41 of 56 studies. Looking at the analysis method, most of the studies used the regression analysis series the most, and in pre-COVID studies, there was one potential growth model and one program development after COVID-19. Third, in the research variable on middle school student delinquency, there were many studies on various types of variables for cyber flight during flight, and other detailed analysis was conducted by dividing them into individual variables, family and parents, schools and peers Conclusions This study is significant in that it systematically organized 10 years of research on juvenile delinquency in middle schools into pre- and post-corona periods. We hope to provide suggestions for future research and a basis for further research.

Ranger Himung: Mitigating Youth Delinquency Through Increasing Legal Resilience with Spoken Media (Madihin)

Juvenile delinquency in the city of Banjarmasin is an increasingly worrying social phenomenon, especially with the emergence of trends such as the use of addictive substances and motorcycle gang violence. This trend illustrates the need for immediate intervention to prevent further escalation and maintain the safety of the school environment. Legal awareness education in schools is considered the right strategy to build positive character in adolescents, reduce deviant behavior, and strengthen their legal resilience. This community service study was carried out at SMPN 3 Banjarmasin by applying a socio-legal juridical approach in the form of a serial workshop. This program consists of four series that focus on the formation of harmonious, inclusive, independent, and superior characters through legal counselling delivered in the context of Madihin, a traditional art of South Kalimantan. Spoken Media is an interactive approach used to integrate local cultural values in learning, including the values of tolerance, non-violence, and gender equality. Program evaluation is carried out through pre-tests and post-tests using questionnaires to measure the improvement of student's legal knowledge, understanding, attitudes, and behavior

Officer gunpoint during police stops: Repercussions for youth mental health and perceived safety.

Youth-police contact is increasingly acknowledged as a stressor and a racialized adverse childhood experience that can undermine youths' mental health. The present study investigates a particularly distressing feature of youths' direct and witnessed in-person police stops-officer gunpoint (i.e., officers drawing of firearms and pointing them at youth, their peers, or other community members). We examine patterns of youths' officer gunpoint exposure and associations with youth mental health and safety perceptions. Data come from the Survey of Police-Adolescent Contact Experiences (SPACE), a cross-sectional survey of a community-based sample of Black youth ages 12-21 in Baltimore City, Maryland (n = 335), administered from August 2022 to July 2023. Findings indicate that ~33% of youth reporting in-person police stops had been exposed to officer gunpoint during stops. Officer gunpoint was significantly and positively associated with being male, unemployed, having an incarcerated parent, living in a neighborhood with greater disorder, and having been directly stopped by police, in addition to youth delinquency and impulsivity. Net of covariates, experiencing officer gunpoint was associated with a significantly higher rate of youth emotional distress during stops. Significant associations between officer gunpoint and youths' current police violence stress, police avoidance, and diminished safety perceptions also emerged and were largely explained by youths' heightened emotional distress at the time of police stops. Trauma-informed approaches are needed to mitigate the mental health harms of youth experiencing officer gunpoint.

SCOPE, NATURE AND CAUSES OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY

Juvenile delinquency is a specific social phenomenon studied by various scientific disciplines. The goal of every society is to establish order and protect general social values. Juvenile delinquency is a serious behavioral problem manifested through actions that deviate from social and legal norms, and as such, it should be taken seriously in society, given the significance, dangers, and long-term consequences it can cause. The aim of this research is to examine the etiological factors of juvenile delinquency, as well as the scope and phenomenological aspects that can be categorized under this concept. The conceptual confusion present in this field often complicates the creation of adequate and effective prevention programs. Using descriptive research methods, document analysis, comparative methods, as well as quantitative and qualitative analysis, we have distinguished various types of behavior, grading them from asocial behaviors to juvenile delinquency as behaviors that violate legal norms. The research results have shown that juvenile delinquency is a broad term encompassing various behaviors that breach social, moral, customary, and legal norms. We have also demonstrated that youth delinquency is a multicausal phenomenon requiring a multidisciplinary approach for clarification. The conclusion is that juvenile delinquency is a complex phenomenon that demands an integrated and multidisciplinary approach in prevention. Investment in educational programs, family support, and health education, as well as the creation of a positive social environment, can significantly reduce the risk of delinquent behavior and mitigate its consequences. The contribution of this work is to assist professionals from different fields in the early detection of delinquent behavior in youth and the profiling of juvenile offenders, as the most dangerous form of delinquency.

Explaining Long-Term Trajectories in Youth Delinquency: Evidence From Survey and Register Data

This study examines survey-based and register-based trends in youth delinquency, namely theft and assault, in Finland over the past two decades. Our survey data includes data from five measuring points between 2004 and 2020. Our register data includes all individuals born in Finland between 1986 and 2000 who were alive and who were residing in Finland at the end of 2000. Survey findings indicate that changing routine activities in the form of declining risk routines, truancy, and alcohol consumption were the notable factors behind the declining trends in youth delinquency. With register data, maternal education appears to be the strongest contributor to the observed change, followed by maternal age. Overall, our finding emphasizes changes in the everyday activities of adolescents.

비행청소년을 대상으로 한 프로그램의 체계적 문헌고찰

This study is a systematic literature review that objectively analyzes research papers related to domestic programs for delinquent youth. The purpose of this study is to provide basic data necessary for the development of programs suitable for the psychosocial characteristics of delinquent youth by comprehensively analyzing domestic delinquent youth programs. To this end, 79 documents of the delinquent youth program research provided by the Academic Research Information Service (RISS) and Nuri Media (DBpia) were selected and analyzed. The analysis criteria consisted of five items as execution factors: research subject, research method, research design type, program operation, measurement tool and effect, and five items as content factors: program development, program name, program basis, purpose, and treatment intervention factors. As a result of the study, in terms of implementation factors, the research subjects were mainly middle and high school students, and it was found that the rate of verifying the program effectiveness through quantitative research was high. Self-esteem played an important role in the study of delinquent youth programs as a measurement tool. Through this, it was confirmed that it was necessary to expand the program operation method and qualitative research organized into similar age groups. In terms of content elements, there were far more studies reorganizing existing programs, and studies related to the psychosocial functions of delinquent youth were dominated. As for the treatment intervention factor, self-related factors such as self-understanding and self-exploration accounted for the most. Through this, it was confirmed that it is necessary to develop not only programs suitable for the psychosocial characteristics of delinquent youth developed by the researcher, but also various programs related to others. Based on the results of this study, institutions related to delinquent youth should participate in research in the future, and in order to improve the social behavior of delinquent youth, it is necessary to actively develop programs to improve the psychosocial stability and empathy of delinquent youth.

Видовое разнообразие делинквентных молодежных субкультур в современной России: опыт теоретического исследования

Social disorganization triggers the development of subcultures, both positive and negative. As part of innovative adaptation, a person or a group may update certain sets of values, thus offering an alternative solution to some existing contradictions. Destructive socio-cultural associations, on the contrary, revise and oppose the generally recognized and accepted values, which leads to protest activity and what Peter Berger defined as anti-societies. The article describes the current diversity of delinquent youth subcultures in Russia and their development. The author designed a typology based on sociological interpretation, affiliations, and risks: 1) subcultures with career prospects; 2) subcultures of antisocial leisure activities; 3) subcultures that imitate certain totalitarian organizations; 4) subcultures of escapism; 5) subcultures of gender orientation; 6) street subcultures; 7) school-shooting subcultures. This classification takes into account those aspects of social life that deserve special scientific attention. Each subcultural community requires a special interdisciplinary approach that would consider its socio-cultural and legal adaptation mechanisms, causes, and online and offline functioning.

The impact of negative school experiences on rates of youth delinquency: accounts of incarcerated young people in Türkiye

ABSTRACT The main purpose of this study is to examine the school experiences of incarcerated Turkish young delinquents and reveal how these negative experiences affected their descent into delinquency. In order to carry out the study, official permission to meet with 10 young delinquents, currently being held in the Youth Detention Centre in Ankara (capital of Türkiye) and convicted of various crimes, has been obtained from the Turkish Ministry of Justice. Interviews have been conducted in three separate sessions. Study findings have revealed that the school experiences of young delinquents have been overwhelmingly negative and that they have started committing crimes while still being enrolled in school. Additionally, it has been found that they defied school rules and maintained social connections with individuals engaged in unlawful activities.

Gender Dimension of Comparison in Between Anastasia, Pinocchio, and Tiana Characters in Cartoons

Gender dimension of Comparison in between Anastasia, Pinocchio, and Tiana characters in cartoons researches different dimension of multinational appropriation of Disney pedagogical instruments, in the classrooms. Contemporary Disney studies involve the importance of the socialisation of the Youth, emphasising the sociological perspective on the Youth delinquency complexity plethora, as a crucial in the Walt Disney imaginary: “Disney in the classroom, as critical literacy founds that popular texts should require active engagement” in the classroom (Sandlin, Garlin, 2016:17). Investigation on Gender dimension of comparison in between the Anastasia, Pinocchio, and Tiana characters in cartoons, involved the analyses of theme songs in cartoons, was conducted in group of BA students, of Sociology of Gender I, at Faculty of Political Sciences Sarajevo. Contemporary theory of education, globally, demands use of Disney Cartoons, and films, in Sociology classes.

Who is at risk? Applying the biopsychosocial model to explain non-violent and violent delinquency in youth

Research has highlighted the relevance of biological measures in explaining antisocial behavior, but the inclusion of such measures in clinical practice is lagging behind. According to the integrative biopsychosocial model, biological measures should be studied together with psychological and social-environmental factors. In this data-driven study, we applied this comprehensive model to explain non-violent and violent delinquency of 876 at-risk youth (715 male, 9–27 years), by combining nine biological (autonomic-nervous-system; endocrinological), nine psychological, and seven social-environmental measures. Using latent-class-regression analysis we uncovered four distinct psychologically-driven biological clusters, which differed in non-violent and violent delinquency-risk, moderated by social-environmental variables: a biological–psychopathic traits; low problem; high problem; and biological–reactive group. Individual vulnerabilities to (non-)violent delinquency depended on social-environmental context that differed between clusters. These findings highlight the importance of biological and psychological factors, in the context of social-environmental factors, in explaining (non)-violent delinquency.

The Coordination Between Youth Institutions and Its Implications on the Strategy for Youth Delinquency Prevention

The Coordination Between Youth Institutions and Its Implications on the Strategy for Youth Delinquency Prevention

Using sport and physical activity interventions to develop life skills and reduce delinquency in youth: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Purpose Disadvantaged youth are confronted with a disproportionate number of risk factors and stressors that can predict youth delinquency and negative behaviours as an adult. Life skills developed through physical activity and sport programmes (PAS) have been identified as a way to provide protective factors for those at risk of, or involved in, youth delinquency. Method A systematic search of nine electronic databases was conducted to collate and evidence the impact of life skills developed through sport and physical activity-based programmes targeting youth at risk of or involved in youth delinquency. Results The search identified 15 studies across three different intervention levels (primary, secondary, and tertiary), reporting the effects of life skills development on youth at risk of, or involved in youth delinquency. The current evidence base for understanding the development of life skills through PAS programmes is positive but sparse. Conclusion Recommendations have been made for future research and include understanding the impact on personal and social identity, exploring the use of gender specific strategies and investigating the effectiveness of delivery staff.

From Laggard to Innovator: Barbara Fruchter and the 1970s-Era Movement to Deinstitutionalize Pennsylvania Juvenile Justice

Abstract: Using diverse archival sources and oral history interviews, this essay examines how volunteer activist women in the 1970s galvanized support to pass major legislative reforms that made Pennsylvania a model for how to implement the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) of 1974 at the state level. Horrified by conditions they witnessed on a tour of a nearby juvenile detention center, three Philadelphia area women created a broad-based coalition—centered in the Juvenile Justice Center (JJC) of Pennsylvania—to improve local conditions of confinement and spearhead novel policies to transform juvenile justice statewide. Focusing on Barbara Fruchter, JJC cofounder and de facto leader of the state’s deinstitutionalization campaign, this essay probes how a now well-accepted idea in juvenile justice—treating the great majority of delinquent youth in small community-based rather than large institutional programs—was first envisioned and introduced into American juvenile justice a half-century ago.

Enuresis in young offenders - a study on prevalence and mental health comorbidity.

Enuresis is a common disorder in the school-age period, and is often associated with a variety of behavioral, psychological, and social problems. While early studies suggested an association between enuresis and delinquent behavior, there has been no recent research assessing the prevalence of enuresis and its comorbid psychopathology in young offenders. The aim of this study was to therefore assess the prevalence of enuresis and its associated psychiatric comorbidity in incarcerated young offenders. The prevalence of past and current enuresis and comorbid psychopathology was assessed using a semi-structured psychiatric interview and self-reports from 366 incarcerated male young offenders [age 14 to 19 years (mean age = 16.4)] from Northern Russia. Seventy-three (20.0%) adolescents reported a previous history of enuresis, and in addition almost 10% of the youth reported current enuresis symptoms. Delinquent youth with enuresis did not significantly differ from other youth in the prevalence of comorbid psychiatric diagnoses when assessed by a clinical diagnostic interview, but had significantly higher levels of self-reported mental health problems, and suicidal ideation and attempts. Problems with enuresis are common among delinquent youth and may be associated with increased mental health problems. Given the potentially increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behavior in young offenders with enuresis, comprehensive mental health screening of those who are detected with this condition should be considered in the juvenile justice system.

Rebels and criminals on the small screen: How Swedish youth delinquency film turns televisual in the 1960s and 1970s

From the mid-1940s until the early 1960s, youth delinquency was such a frequent motif in Swedish cinema that it was almost regarded as a genre of its own. This article investigates how the theme survived in Swedish television in the 1960s, focusing on three case studies, Trängningen (‘The squeeze’) (1962), Väcka åtal (‘Prosecution’) (1970) and Konfrontation (‘Confrontation’) (1969).

Successful outcomes in juvenile justice: Overcoming community based and correctional challenges

AbstractThe juvenile justice system has long struggled with practices for understanding, preventing, and intervening in delinquency. Debates concerning youth delinquency, diversion efforts, and effective rehabilitation have consistently been examined. However, the answers to most of these fundamental approaches remain unresolved. Mental health is a major concern for juveniles under a correctional treatment program, but the juvenile justice system lacks individualized mental health services, having devastating and unfair results on youth in need. Through research, professional development, and advocacy, youth who are especially vulnerable to experiencing the undesired outcomes that result from receiving inadequate and inappropriate services will gain better outcomes.

Policing juvenile delinquency in China: Exploring the influence of officer-related individual and organizational factors on discretionary police decision-making

PurposeThis study aims to explore police officers’ decision-making patterns for punishing, educating, and providing assistance to minors who have committed property, violent, or illegal drug use offenses. It further examines the impact of both officers’ individual characteristics and perceived organizational support on police reactions to the respective offenses. MethodsSurvey data were collected from 454 police officers at 18 police stations in a southwestern Chinese city. Police officers were provided with scenario-based vignettes that elicited their responses to the described offenses. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions were conducted to examine officer-related individual and organizational factors that influenced police decisions to punish, educate, and provide assistance to juvenile offenders involved in property, violent, and illegal drug use offenses. ResultsThe descriptive findings suggest that police officers may consider all three types of actions (i.e., punishing, educating, and assisting delinquent youth) in addressing juvenile delinquency (JD), with some variations in the actions taken in response to different types of offenses. The findings of the OLS regression analyses generally confirmed that both individual and organizational factors influenced police discretion on JD, but the effects varied according to police response and offense types. Specifically, punitive police attitudes toward delinquent youth and knowledge of relevant laws were robust predictors of officers’ intentions to punish juvenile offenders, and officers’ perceived community service roles and supervisor support were primarily correlated with their preferences for the use of education or assistance measures in addressing delinquency. Organizational training, however, did not show any significant effect on police inclinations in handling JD, regardless of decision or offense types. Unexpected findings are discussed in the “Discussion and Conclusion” section. ConclusionsThe study contributes to extant literature on police–juvenile encounters by examining the under-investigated individual and organizational correlates of police decision-making in the Chinese context. The findings highlight the importance of supervisory support and organizational training in managing individual officers’ discretionary power.

Delinquent Youths Sociodemographic Characteristics: A Study of 2068 Official Data

Juvenile delinquency is a critical social problem around the globe. As vulnerable beings, it is critical to understand the reasons behind children’s involvement in crime. The aim of the present study is to determine the socio-economic and demographic characteristics of juvenile delinquents in North Cyprus. The population of this research is formed by juvenile delinquent cases which are taken from the archival records of the General Directorate of Police spanning 2008-2018 in Northern Cyprus. In this direction, 2068 official police records are examined by quantitative research methods, frequency analysis and Pearson chi-square tests were applied to the data. The findings contribute to understanding the dimensions of juvenile delinquency in the country. Northern Cyprus is not recognised as an independent republic, and compared to other European countries Cyprus still has low crime rates for both adult and juvenile offenders. We determined that most delinquent youths in the 16–17 age group, attending school and mostly involved in property crime. The highest rate of involvement in crime is in the biggest three cities in which both social and physical disorders are highly ranked, while social control is low. Identifying the factors behind juvenile delinquency is vital to contributing to social policies and psychosocial support mechanisms on this issue. Keywords: juvenile delinquency, official record, crime

Extreme Heat Exposure Is Associated with Higher Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Elevated Youth Delinquency.

Climate change has led to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events, a trend expected to continue. This poses significant health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations like children. While previous research has largely concentrated on the physical health impacts of extreme heat, less attention has been given to behavioral outcomes, such as delinquency. This study investigates the association between extreme heat exposure and delinquency among children, utilizing data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. It also explores the potential mediating roles of neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES; measured by median home value), puberty, peer deviance, and financial difficulties. Data from the national ABCD study were analyzed to assess the relationship between extreme heat exposure (exposure) and delinquency (outcome). Covariates included race/ethnicity, sex, and age. Mediators examined were neighborhood SES, puberty, peer deviance, and financial difficulties. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed for data analysis. Overall, 11,878 children entered our analysis. The analysis revealed a significant association between extreme heat exposure and higher levels of delinquency among children. Children more exposed to extreme heat were more likely to be Black, reside in lower SES neighborhoods, experience greater financial difficulties, and have more advanced puberty status. The group facing the highest heat exposure was also economically disadvantaged. The findings suggest that children already disadvantaged by socio-economic factors are disproportionately affected by extreme heat, leading to increased delinquency. This highlights the need for targeted interventions to protect these vulnerable populations and address the mediators of extreme heat exposure. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies and evaluate the effectiveness of various mitigation strategies to address these disparities.