The problem of deviant leisure among youths

Leisure times is one of pathological scopes in our society. Since the population of our community is young and probable harms of deviant leisure among youth, it is important to address the youth's leisure experiences significantly. Deviant leisure is defined as leisure activities that are contrary to the ethical and legal norms of community. This study was carried out aimed to examine the effect of differential association on deviant leisure. The research method is survey and questionnaire was used as data collection tool. The population of this study includes all young people aged 18-35 in Babolsar. 400 persons were selected using multistage clustering sampling method. Results don’t present significant relation between gender and deviant leisure. But single has deviant behavior more than married persons. According to the results of Pearson correlation test, there is a significant relationship between differential association (Priority, Duration, Frequency, and Intensity) and the deviant leisure (Obvious, Latent). Therefore, having intimate and continuous relationship with people with deviant leisure leads the adolescents strongly to deviant leisure. According to the research theoretical model test, which was done by structural equation modeling, it is identified that effect of Differential association on deviant leisure was positive(Beta= 0.60). Also it was concluded that the variables of the differential association structure were able to explain 0.36 of the changes of the dependent variable (deviant leisure and dimensions). It means that social situations specially relations with friends affect pathological actions of youths.