Date of Award
Summer 7-31-2025
Document Type
Thesis (699 registration)
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
Department
Graduate Studies
Committee Chair
Lee Garth Vigilant
Abstract
Juvenile delinquency poses a burden for families, communities, and the criminal justice system. Criminal conduct among youth has lasting consequences on social outcomes and long-term well-being. Understanding the reasons behind these behaviors at a young age is critical to establishing effective intervention and prevention strategies. Based on the Social Learning Theory, Disorganization Theory, and the Control Theory. This thesis examines the most prominent familial, social, and psychological factors that contribute to juvenile delinquency, with a particular emphasis on how these variables increase risk for vulnerable adolescents. Integrating these theories, this study assesses how both learned behavior and a lack of constraint contribute to young criminality, creating conditions that elevate the possibility of delinquent behavior. This thesis advocates for policy changes that include recidivism prevention and restorative justice programs. Future research should investigate how these theories can inform the development of policies aimed at reducing juvenile delinquency and promoting long-term behavioral change.
Recommended Citation
Gagan, Kasey, "Understanding Juvenile Delinquency: Analyzing Familial, Social, and Psychological Risk Factors" (2025). Dissertations, Theses, and Projects. 1063.
https://red.mnstate.edu/thesis/1063