Exploring the Decisional Drivers of Deviance: A Qualitative Study of Institutionalized Adolescents in Malaysia
Adolescents who break the law or deviate from social norms are often criminalized as their behavior is perceived as resulting from conscious choices. However, it is likely that such choices result from their circumstances, namely the failure of their proximal environment to safeguard their wellbeing...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-02-01
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| Series: | Adolescents |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7051/2/1/9 |
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| author | Kishwen Kanna Yoga Ratnam Nik Daliana Nik Farid Li Ping Wong Nur Asyikin Yakub Mohd Alif Idham Abd Hamid Maznah Dahlui |
| author_facet | Kishwen Kanna Yoga Ratnam Nik Daliana Nik Farid Li Ping Wong Nur Asyikin Yakub Mohd Alif Idham Abd Hamid Maznah Dahlui |
| author_sort | Kishwen Kanna Yoga Ratnam |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Adolescents who break the law or deviate from social norms are often criminalized as their behavior is perceived as resulting from conscious choices. However, it is likely that such choices result from their circumstances, namely the failure of their proximal environment to safeguard their wellbeing. The purpose of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the background variables and choices that led these institutionalized adolescents down the road of deviance. We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured in-depth interviews, conducted between March and May 2018, with 18 participants aged between 15 to 19 years. Participants were purposefully sampled from various welfare institutions in the states of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, Malaysia. Audio recordings of interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. We found three core themes, (i) Sources of Distress, (ii) Drivers of Deviance, and (iii) Adjustment Strategies for Coping with Distress, which appeared to have influenced participants’ life trajectories and eventual institutionalization. The findings showed that participants were disadvantaged by backgrounds of risk and vulnerability, characterized by a lack of social support and opportunities for personal development, negative schooling experiences, and negative peer interactions. Substance abuse, which provided a coping strategy for the participants, may have further contributed to their delinquency. Drawing upon the socio ecological model (SEM), we systematically identify interventional opportunities at the individual, community, and policy levels to safeguard the wellbeing of at-risk adolescents. We make recommendations aimed at improving the family dynamics, promoting a healthy schooling experience, and transforming neighborhoods into a safe and nurturing environment. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T13:59:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-61b24f7774834b25a153106bd120cc13 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-7051 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T13:59:54Z |
| publishDate | 2022-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Adolescents |
| spelling | doaj.art-61b24f7774834b25a153106bd120cc132023-11-30T10:27:33ZengMDPI AGAdolescents2673-70512022-02-01218610010.3390/adolescents2010009Exploring the Decisional Drivers of Deviance: A Qualitative Study of Institutionalized Adolescents in MalaysiaKishwen Kanna Yoga Ratnam0Nik Daliana Nik Farid1Li Ping Wong2Nur Asyikin Yakub3Mohd Alif Idham Abd Hamid4Maznah Dahlui5Centre of Population Health, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, MalaysiaCentre of Population Health, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, MalaysiaCentre of Population Health, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, MalaysiaPsychology and Human Well-Being Centre, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, National University of Malaysia, Bangi 43600, MalaysiaJulius Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, MalaysiaCentre of Population Health, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, MalaysiaAdolescents who break the law or deviate from social norms are often criminalized as their behavior is perceived as resulting from conscious choices. However, it is likely that such choices result from their circumstances, namely the failure of their proximal environment to safeguard their wellbeing. The purpose of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the background variables and choices that led these institutionalized adolescents down the road of deviance. We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured in-depth interviews, conducted between March and May 2018, with 18 participants aged between 15 to 19 years. Participants were purposefully sampled from various welfare institutions in the states of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, Malaysia. Audio recordings of interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. We found three core themes, (i) Sources of Distress, (ii) Drivers of Deviance, and (iii) Adjustment Strategies for Coping with Distress, which appeared to have influenced participants’ life trajectories and eventual institutionalization. The findings showed that participants were disadvantaged by backgrounds of risk and vulnerability, characterized by a lack of social support and opportunities for personal development, negative schooling experiences, and negative peer interactions. Substance abuse, which provided a coping strategy for the participants, may have further contributed to their delinquency. Drawing upon the socio ecological model (SEM), we systematically identify interventional opportunities at the individual, community, and policy levels to safeguard the wellbeing of at-risk adolescents. We make recommendations aimed at improving the family dynamics, promoting a healthy schooling experience, and transforming neighborhoods into a safe and nurturing environment.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7051/2/1/9delinquencyyouthinstitutionalizedjuvenileMalaysia |
| spellingShingle | Kishwen Kanna Yoga Ratnam Nik Daliana Nik Farid Li Ping Wong Nur Asyikin Yakub Mohd Alif Idham Abd Hamid Maznah Dahlui Exploring the Decisional Drivers of Deviance: A Qualitative Study of Institutionalized Adolescents in Malaysia Adolescents delinquency youth institutionalized juvenile Malaysia |
| title | Exploring the Decisional Drivers of Deviance: A Qualitative Study of Institutionalized Adolescents in Malaysia |
| title_full | Exploring the Decisional Drivers of Deviance: A Qualitative Study of Institutionalized Adolescents in Malaysia |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the Decisional Drivers of Deviance: A Qualitative Study of Institutionalized Adolescents in Malaysia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the Decisional Drivers of Deviance: A Qualitative Study of Institutionalized Adolescents in Malaysia |
| title_short | Exploring the Decisional Drivers of Deviance: A Qualitative Study of Institutionalized Adolescents in Malaysia |
| title_sort | exploring the decisional drivers of deviance a qualitative study of institutionalized adolescents in malaysia |
| topic | delinquency youth institutionalized juvenile Malaysia |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7051/2/1/9 |
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