Prediction of Juvenile Delinquency based on Individual Vulnerability and the Risk Opportunity in the Family, Peers, School and Neighborhood in High Schools in Tehran

Present study was conducted to investigate the prediction of juvenile delinquency based on individual vulnerability and the risk opportunity in the family, peers, school and neighborhood in high schools in Tehran This is a coss-sectional study. The statistical population of this study included all the female and male students of 20 districts of Tehran who were studying in high school during the academic year 2013-2014. The sample size of the study was 1847 individuals (946 (51.2%) girls and 901 (48.8%) boys). The sampling was performed in a multi-stage cluster method due to the extent of the population, and the participants of this study completed the socio-mental protective and risk factors and behaviors scale. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis, stepwise method, and SPSS-24 statistical software.
Findings: Results of present study showed that among predictor variables, risk opportunity/availability (B=0.67, t=13.28, p<0.001), vulnerability/family (B=0.37, t=8.57, p<0.001), and vulnerability/school (B=1.14, t=6.7, p<0.001) have significant prediction effect on adjusted index of adolescents’ delinquent behavior, also adolescent boys do more delinquent behavior than girls (t (1823) =4.82, p<0. 01). This study showed that the individual vulnerability and risk opportunity in the family, peers, school and neighborhood predict delinquent behavior in adolescents. So, it is necessary to take preventive measures and interventions for this age group, risk factors should be considered at individual, school and family levels