Family dynamics and delinquency: understanding the experience of female adolescents with their families
Journal of Criminal Psychology
ISSN: 2009-3829
Article publication date: 14 January 2021
Issue publication date: 11 March 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the family experiences of delinquent adolescents and uses a descriptive phenomenological research design.
Design/methodology/approach
The study explores the family experiences of delinquent adolescents and uses a descriptive phenomenological research design. Eight adolescents that were under detainment in a rehabilitation centre in Malaysia participated in the study. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and reflective journals.
Findings
Five themes common to the participants’ experience were inductively identified from the analysis. These were: life without guidance, alienation and isolation, conflict on how the family is managed; I am still a little child and prisoners at home.
Originality/value
Despite many studies on delinquent adolescents were conducted in Malaysia, no study has been conducted so far to explore and understand the experience of female adolescents in their families.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to Dr Marcus Griffin from American Proofreading Centre for his professional assistance in proofreading this article. Funding: This study is part of a more extensive study funded by the University Malaya Research Grant under the UMCARES 2018 Grant (UM.TNC2/UMCARES/261/1).
Citation
Sumari, M., Baharudin, D.F., Ahmed Tharbe, I.H., A. Razak, N.A. and Md Khalid, N. (2021), "Family dynamics and delinquency: understanding the experience of female adolescents with their families", Journal of Criminal Psychology, Vol. 11 No. 1, pp. 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCP-06-2020-0027
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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