Prevalence and determinants of juvenile delinquency in Ghana

Abstract

Research in developed economies has largely attributed juvenile delinquency to social and biological factors. However, studies on this issue remain limited in developing countries such as Ghana. This study examines the prevalence of juvenile delinquency and its contributing factors among adolescents. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire administered to 310 randomly selected junior high school students in the Ashaiman Municipality, an area known for high community violence. Descriptive statistics were employed for data analysis. Findings indicate that juvenile delinquency is not highly prevalent among participants. However, factors such as homelessness, neglect, abuse, poor parenting, peer pressure, and traditional and social media influence contribute to delinquent behavior. The study highlights differences in perception based on demographic variables and underscores the role of effective parenting and community interventions in addressing adolescent delinquency. Ethical considerations, including informed consent and confidentiality, were strictly adhered to. The findings provide insights for educators, policymakers, and social workers to develop targeted interventions for mitigating juvenile delinquency in Ghana. Pedagogical and policy implications are discussed, along with recommendations for future research.  

Keywords: Child development; criminal behavior; situational crime and prevalence