Why Do Young People Engage in Delinquency and Problem Drinking? Views From Adolescents and Stakeholders

Abstract

Objective

Socially deviant and health‐compromising behaviours are prevalent among adolescents living in Australia. The aim of this study was to explore from the perspectives of adolescents, and those involved in the provision of their care, potential reasons for youth delinquency and problematic drinking styles.

Methods

Participants were recruited purposively and comprised adolescents (n = 16) and stakeholders (n = 20), including youth mental health workers (n = 7), school teachers/counsellors (n = 7), and police officers (n = 6). An open‐ended question was used to prompt group discussion around why young people engage in deviant behaviour, including problem drinking. Responses were transcribed and analysed thematically.

Results

Participants identified a number of factors that potentially underpin delinquent behaviour. These results were summarised within three global themes: social determinants (e.g., parenting practices), reinforcement histories (e.g., social endorsement), and individual determinants (e.g., personality traits).

Conclusion

Multidisciplinary interventions addressing these causes are likely to result in optimal outcomes.

Key words:

• adolescence
• delinquency
• problem drinking
• psychosocial risk factors
• thematic analysis

Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Author contributions: Authors ALC, VEK, and ASM conceptualised and designed the study. Author ALC collected and analysed the data under the supervision of author VEK. Author ALC wrote the manuscript, and authors VEK and ASM edited the manuscript. All authors have given approval for the manuscript to be published.

Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Author contributions: Authors ALC, VEK, and ASM conceptualised and designed the study. Author ALC collected and analysed the data under the supervision of author VEK. Author ALC wrote the manuscript, and authors VEK and ASM edited the manuscript. All authors have given approval for the manuscript to be published.

Acknowledgements

This research report was submitted by Angela L. Curcio as a partial requirement for the Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology at the University of Canberra. This research was conducted with the financial support of an Australian Postgraduate Award PhD Scholarship awarded to Angela L. Curcio. The authors would like to thank participating schools and agencies.

Notes

Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Author contributions: Authors ALC, VEK, and ASM conceptualised and designed the study. Author ALC collected and analysed the data under the supervision of author VEK. Author ALC wrote the manuscript, and authors VEK and ASM edited the manuscript. All authors have given approval for the manuscript to be published.

Additional information

Funding

Australian Postgraduate Award PhD Scholarship