The Role of Family Life and the Influence of Peer Pressure on Delinquency: Qualitative Evidence from Malaysia

Ezarina Zakaria, Noor Nasihah Kamarudin, Zhooriyati Sehu Mohamad, Masahiro Suzuki, Balan Rathakrishnan, Soon Singh Bikar Singh, Zaizul Ab Rahman, Vikneswaran Sabramani, Azianura Hani Shaari and Mohammad Rahim Kamaluddin
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Ezarina Zakaria: Centre for Research in Psychology and Human Well-Being, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, The National University of Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
Noor Nasihah Kamarudin: Centre for Research in Psychology and Human Well-Being, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, The National University of Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
Zhooriyati Sehu Mohamad: Faculty of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, UCSI University Kuala Lumpur (South Wing), Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Selangor, Malaysia
Masahiro Suzuki: School of Business and Law, Central Queensland University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Balan Rathakrishnan: Faculty of Psychology and Education, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia
Soon Singh Bikar Singh: Faculty of Psychology and Education, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia
Zaizul Ab Rahman: Research Centre for Theology and Philosophy, Faculty of Islamic Studies, The National University of Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
Vikneswaran Sabramani: Malaysian Association of Adolescent Health, Bukit Jalil Integrated Business Park, Kuala Lumpur 58200, Selangor, Malaysia
Azianura Hani Shaari: Centre for Research in Psychology and Human Well-Being, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, The National University of Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
Mohammad Rahim Kamaluddin: Centre for Research in Psychology and Human Well-Being, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, The National University of Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-14

Abstract: Juvenile delinquency is always seen as a public health problem which needs intervention at various levels. Identifying which factors may lead juveniles to delinquency is a long-standing question among criminologists. This remains the case in Malaysia. There are studies that have explored the impact of problem-solving skills, low socioeconomic status, and gender differences in predicting the delinquent behavior of youth in Malaysia. However, very few studies have aimed to find an in-depth understanding of the effects of family roles and peer pressure on delinquency in Malaysia. The present qualitative research was designed to fill this gap in the literature. In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 young male prisoners (juvenile delinquents) in Malaysia to explore the influences of family life and peer pressure on delinquency. The current study showed that parental un-involvement, parent separation, peer pressure, criminal gang membership, and parents’ involvement in crime were the important factors for involvement in delinquency. The findings revealed the importance of guidance and counseling for parents and adolescents, to help them cope with life challenges and to build their social and emotional skills, as well as the necessity of appointing school psychologists and public health experts to help the youths become valuable individuals.

Keywords: young male prisoners; delinquency; parenting; peer pressure; Malaysia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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