Personal resource as a factor of deviant behaviour prevention among students of digital generation

Abstract

The history of students’ deviant behavior problem and studying different aspects of this phenomenon is defined by ambiguous understanding of the phenomenon occurrence nature. Widespread digitalization of educational environment and social life introduces new factors determining the behavior of modern adolescents. A promising approach to solving a number of research and practical problems in preventing deviant behavior among adolescents may consider the possibility of identifying a personal resource as a factor of preventing violations in adolescent behavior. The study involved 402 students from Moscow school. It revealed negative connotations in self-confidence and obsession with computer games, browsing social networks (Spearman’s correlation coefficient — .583), as well as with volitional control of emotional reactions — .598. A significant correlation was also found between teenagers’ dissatisfaction with significant adults’ attitude and obsession with computer games, browsing social networks: problems with teachers — Spearman’s correlation coefficient .458 and, accordingly, dissatisfaction with family relationship .431. All correlations are significant at the level of 0.01. Generally, the analysis results allow us to state that the questionnaire being developed can be useful both to identify the adolescent’s personal resource that enforce normative behavior and to identify deviant behavior risk predictors for students in grades 7–11. It can also be used as a tool for targeted planning in psychological and pedagogical support aimed at leveling various behavior violations and intrapersonal destructive states of adolescents.