CORRELATES OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AMONG JAILED DELINQUENTS IN GONDAR, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This study investigates the relationships among neighborhood condition, school problems, parent adolescent communication, peer relation and religiosity on juvenile delinquency. Self-reported questionnaires were collected from 107 juvenile delinquents aged 11-18 years. Six standardized instruments of Amharic versions were administered. The rate of juvenile delinquency was significantly and positively correlated with the neighborhood condition, school problems, poor family communication, and peer relation. Negative significant relationships were also observed between juvenile delinquency and religiosity and open family communication. All variables together accounted for 88.6 % of the explained variance. More specifically, the strongest influence was from neighborhood condition followed by open family communication and school problems. The paper concludes that to tackle delinquent behavior proactive interventions are essential at family, school and community levels.