Role of Social Support and Social Interest in Juvenile Delinquency: A Binary Logistic Regression Study from Türkiye

Abstract

This study investigated adolescents’ involvement in juvenile delinquency in relation to their perceived social support and levels of social interest. Data were collected through face-to-face surveys with 402 adolescents aged 15–17 years in Adana, Türkiye. Among the participants, 118 were classified as having a history of juvenile delinquency, while 284 had no such history. The study utilized two instruments: the Social Relationship Elements Scale, which measures perceived support from family and friends, and the Social Interest Scale, which includes the subdimensions of sense of belonging, coping, helping behavior, and empathic sensitivity. Independent samples t-tests showed that: (1) adolescents involved in delinquency reported significantly lower levels of perceived family and friend support, and (2) non-delinquent adolescents scored higher on empathic sensitivity and helping behavior. Binary logistic regression analyses revealed that (1) higher levels of empathic sensitivity, helping behavior, and family/friend support significantly reduced the likelihood of involvement in delinquency, and (2) paradoxically, a stronger sense of belonging was associated with a higher likelihood of involvement in delinquency. These findings underscore the critical role of social support and social interest in shaping adolescent behavior. In particular, interventions that strengthen familial and friend relationships and promote prosocial tendencies may help prevent juvenile delinquency.

Plain Language Summary

This study investigated adolescents' involvement in juvenile delinquency in relation to their perceived social support and levels of social interest. Data were collected through face-to-face surveys with 402 adolescents aged 15–17 years in Adana, Türkiye. Among the participants, 118 were classified as having a history of juvenile delinquency, while 284 had no such history.