Psychological and Legal Factors of Criminal Behavior Among Juveniles
Abstract
Abstract. The paper examines the psychological and legal factors influencing the formation of juvenile delinquency. The relevance of the topic is determined by the increasing level of deviant behavior among adolescents and the spread of juvenile crime in modern society, which necessitates effective measures for prevention and correction. It has been established that the deviant behavior of minors is shaped under the influence of a complex set of interrelated factors, including biological, social, pedagogical, socio-psychological, individual-psychological, and legal determinants. Special attention is paid to the role of family upbringing, temperament, social environment, and peer influence in shaping adolescent personality. The research methodology is based on a comprehensive analysis of psychological, pedagogical, and legal approaches, including a review of modern scientific sources, comparative analysis of practical research results, and the use of methods of legal psychology. It has been determined that dysfunctional families, lack of control, and emotional neglect create prerequisites for deviant behavior, while negative peer influence, social maladaptation, and adverse external circumstances increase the risk of offenses. The research results show that early identification of at-risk adolescents, the application of individualized upbringing methods, and comprehensive prevention of deviant behavior significantly reduce the likelihood of criminalization. Thus, the results of the empirical research (n=126) showed that 29.3 % of adolescents witnessed criminal acts, 16.7 % had their own experience of offenses, mainly theft, bullying and drug trafficking. No crimes against the state were identified. No gender differences were found according to Fisher’s exact test (χ=1.029; 0.343). The scientific novelty of the study lies in the integration of psychological and legal approaches with consideration of adolescent temperament to optimize preventive measures and develop legal awareness. The practical significance of the work is its applicability for teachers, psychologists, law enforcement officers, and social services in developing effective programs for preventing juvenile delinquency and correcting deviant behavior at early stages.
Keywords: deviant behavior; juveniles; delinquency; family upbringing; social environment; peer influence; offense prevention.
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