The Impact of Social Learning and Social Bonds on Juvenile Delinquency: An Empirical Study of Secondary School Students in Saint Lucia

ABSTRACT

There is a dearth of information regarding the phenomenon of juvenile delinquency among adolescents in Saint Lucia. Using 268 secondary school students as a sample, the researcher investigated the criminogenic risk factors for juvenile delinquent behavior among adolescents from Saint Lucia. The adolescent patterns of delinquent behavior (violent and nonviolent delinquency) were analyzed in conjunction with conventional criminological theories (i.e. social learning and social bonds). The results showed that there was markedly higher delinquency among male adolescents in comparison to female adolescents. In addition, multiple regression and structural equation modeling demonstrate that the social learning and social bond variables analyzed in this study were found to be significantly correlated with violent and nonviolent delinquency. The findings offer implications for addressing the risk factors associated with criminogenic behavior in adolescents and preventing them from engaging in violent or nonviolent delinquent behavior.

Acknowledgements

I am deeply thankful to the numerous individuals and institutions who have provided unwavering support, exceptional knowledge, and ongoing encouragement in bringing this project to fruition.

At the vanguard of this journey, I want to express my gratitude and admiration to my academic advisor, Dr. Lai Yung Lien. His steady mentorship, perceptive observations, and enduring counsel have been vital, lighting each aspect of this research with his vast expertise and dedication. I also want to thank Professor Dr. Chen Yu Shu; her meticulous attention to detail and dedicated efforts significantly increased the analytical depth of this study, enriching both the results and subsequent conversations.

My heartfelt gratitude goes to Saint Lucia's Ministry of Education. Their authorization to conduct the survey within the schools helped this research and demonstrated their dedication to scholarly inquiry and the knowledge of juvenile delinquency in Saint Lucia. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the importance of the principals and teachers from the participating schools. Their collaboration and willingness to help with this research were critical to its success.

To my cherished family, who have been a constant source of encouragement and faith in my abilities, your unfailing support has been my anchor, primarily through difficult times. I owe you more gratitude than words can express. Finally, regardless of the scale of their contribution to this research, I send my heartfelt gratitude to each individual. Every comment, advice, and recommendation helped enrich this study.

Disclosure statement

The author hereby declares no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Additional information

Funding

The data utilized in this study were self-funded and conducted by the researcher.

Notes on contributors

Montelle Marius Maradona Felix

Montelle Marius Maradona Felix is a distinguished Ph.D. candidate at the Central Police University in Taiwan, R.O.C. He holds a Master of Science Degree in Management from the University of Maryland, with a focus on Criminal Justice Management. Beyond academia, Mr. Felix boasts over 15 years of dedicated service as a police officer with the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force. His scholarly pursuits primarily revolve around comparative correctional systems, inmate misconduct, juvenile delinquency, and intricate aspects of policing. His latest research contributions can be found in the Journal of Criminology.