Explaining the Experiences of Families with Delinquent Children

The family environment serves as an individual's initial growth and normative learning ground. Nevertheless, it becomes apparent that any shortcomings in family dynamics have adverse implications for a child's behavior, potentially leading to negative repercussions for society as a whole. This research was carried out to elucidate the experiences of families with delinquent children who sought assistance at the psychiatric emergency department of Noor and Hazrat Ali Asghar Hospital in Isfahan in 2018.

The study encompassed the entire population of families with delinquent children who sought assistance at the psychiatric emergency department of Noor and Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS) Hospital in Isfahan during the year 2018. Employing a qualitative approach rooted in phenomenology, this research utilized semi-structured, in-depth interviews as the primary data collection method. The sampling process initiated purposefully and continued until data saturation was achieved. All interviews transpired within the premises of the psychiatric emergency department at Noor and Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS) Hospital, with each interview lasting between 45 to 60 minutes. A total of 11 participants were interviewed, accumulating a total of 25 interviews.

The results of this research led to the identification of 300 primary-level codes, 38 secondary-level codes, and 19 tertiary-level codes. Ultimately, 8 sub-themes were derived, encompassing 6 sub-themes associated with parents (neglect, inadequate parenting, child maltreatment, unsuitable upbringing environment, family detachment, and parental addiction) and 2 sub-themes related to the child (inappropriate personality traits and individual deviation).

In this study, the sub-themes related to parents, namely family coldness, parental addiction, and inappropriate parenting, held more significance and comprised the majority of the codes. Hence, increased parental engagement in child-rearing practices, enhancing the quality of family relationships, and addressing parental addiction can contribute to the reduction of delinquent behaviors in children.