Psychosocial Determinants of Antisocial Behavior among Young Adults in Kuala Lumpur

Abstract

The current research focuses on the antisocial behaviors which lead to juvenile delinquency. The current study looks at young adults in Kuala Lumpur and their perceptions of the typical characteristics of conduct disorders, substance abuse, and thought and attention problems commonly found among juvenile delinquents. This qualitative research study is aimed at investigating the psychosocial determinants of antisocial behaviors. After a purposive sampling procedure, a semi-structured interview was conducted with two young adult females. In-depth analysis was used to explore their narratives of lived experience. Themes were generated and analyzed through the procedure of thematic analysis. The findings revealed that major psychosocial factors that lead to young people's antisocial behaviors include 1) aggressive behavior, 2) poor psychosocial growth, 3) societal negligence, 4) grandiose thinking, 5) dysfunctional thoughts, 6) compromised intrafamilial relationships, 7) encouragement of violence by peers, and 8) repression of individuals' inner emotional expressions antisocial. Implications of the current research are discussed in terms of producing early identification of antisocial behaviors for the purpose of developing appropriate interventions.