Adolescence is the period of maturation from childhood to adulthood. The adolescence period is divided into two, Early adolescence (12-18 years) and Late adolescence (18-24 years) (Newman & Newman, 2012). Adolescents make up 1.3 billion population in the world says UNICEF. India counts a total of 253 million adolescents between the ages of 10 to 19 (National Health Mission, 2023).
Given the size of the population, it is vital to concentrate on maintaining their mental health. According to Erik Erikson adolescence is the phase full of crisis identity and role confusion. The stage linked with exploring and trying to find identity among family and friends involves crisis and confusion. The phase of crisis involves a number of challenges that, if left unattended may pose a threat to the teen’s greater mental health.
During the process of figuring out who they are, individuals may slip into adopting risky and problem behaviour. While finding the strong sense of me and I, the teen’s cognitive, behavioural, psychological and social abilities are challenged. The successful development of this period helps in forming better social and moral development, thereby increasing pro-social behaviour and achieving a positive sense of identity. When not successful it may negatively affect cognition and behaviour, thereby engaging in risky behaviour which slowly turns into delinquency along with chances of causing mental health issues in teens.
Read More: Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development
Problem behaviour is any conduct that is maladaptive, destructive or antisocial (American Psychological Association, 7th edition). Juvenile delinquency is defined as illegal behaviour by a minor (usually identified as a person younger than 18 years) that would be considered criminal in an adult. Examples are vandalism, theft, rape, arson, and aggravated assault. (American Psychological Association, 7th edition).
Problem behaviour is the act that slowly drags teens into delinquency. With a 4.7% increase from 2020, 31170 juvenile cases were reported. 28,539 are of age 16 to 18 years. Criminal activity has increased from 6.7% to 7.0% (National Crime Record Bureau, 2022). The minor actions of problem behaviour such as lying, hurting others, aggression, and bullying may turn into indulging in major delinquent behaviour such as theft, attempt to murder, rape, and kidnapping etc., (Sharma & Mittal, 2017).
Read More: Understanding The Psychology Behind Crime
Digging the theoretical background
Richar Jerssor (1960) found three core systems responsible for problem behaviour through a longitudinal study among the adolescents in USA. The three core systems are the Perceived environment system, the Personality system and the Behavior system.
The Perceived environmental system includes social control, model and support. It is divided into proximal and distal variables. The proximal variable directly influences the behaviour (eg: alcohol) whereas the distal variable indirectly. Low parental disapproval, high peer approval, high peer models, low parental and peer controls, and low expectations of compatibility between parents and peers are the factors that contribute to problem behaviour.
The Personality system reflects values, expectations, beliefs, attitudes, and orientations toward self and society. Lower value on academic achievement, higher value on independence, greater social criticism, higher alienation, lower self-esteem, greater attitudinal tolerance of deviance, and lower religiosity are included as proneness to the system.
Read More: The Impact of Low Self-Esteem on Relationships: Insights from Psychologists
The Behavior System is divided into Problem behaviour and Conventional behaviour. Problem behaviour includes socially undesirable behaviours such as alcohol use, problem drinking, cigarette smoking, marijuana use, other illicit drug use, general deviant behaviour (delinquent behaviours and other norm-violent acts), risky driving, and precocious sexual intercourse. Conventional Behavior includes all socially desirable behavior such as academics and achievement.
The theory highlights that involvement in one problem behaviour may increase the chance of involvement in other problem behaviours because of the link between them. There are a number of incidents of delinquency in various rural and urban parts of India. Criminal behaviour by adolescents could be avoided by focusing on taking preventive steps towards managing them from the root. Therefore focus has to be on problem behaviour and preventing it from going to the extent of delinquency.
Recognizing the root causes of problematic behaviour
Teenagers’ developing cerebral cortex is one of the biological causes of troublesome behaviour. The frontal cortex is in charge of executive functions including planning and decision-making. Poor judgment, incorrect plans, and decisions may be caused by the cortex’s underdevelopment. Additionally, hormones like cortisol and testosterone play a role in unhealthy behaviours in teens. Impulsivity, aggression, poor self-control, trauma, personality traits, stress, burnout, and cognitive ability are some of the psychological elements that contribute to the development of problem behaviour.
Social causes of the issue include poverty, the economy, friendship with troubled peers, exposure to violent media and cultural norms that have a significant impact on behaviour. The importance of friends and family should not be overlooked. Unorganized families with frequent family strife and violence, minimal parental engagement and supervision, excessive protection and carelessness are prominent. The parenting techniques of the parents must be discussed.
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Authoritarian parents are likely to raise the risk of behavioural issues in their children as they enforce rigid rules. They are cold and harsh in their treatment towards their children. Whereas authoritative parents provide strong emotional support and clear limits that can lower the likelihood of problem behaviour. Parental abuse, maltreatment and role models who use drugs, alcohol or smoke enhance the possibility of reflection. Conformity, which forces a person to follow and engage in undesirable behaviours recommended by a peer, can cause behavioural illness in adolescents.
Adolescents engage in dangerous behaviour in two separate ways: first, they experiment with it, and second, they model it after others with a pattern. A 13-year-old is experimenting with something when he or she smokes for the first time to see how it makes them feel. Within a short period, this experimental behaviour, if done consistently may form a pattern and the person may develop dependence.
When Your Youngster Exhibits These Alterations, Exercise Caution
Parents, teachers and everyone else who wishes the child well should pay attention to the following changes:
- Truancy
- Self-injury
- Threatening
- Repeatedly lying
- Negative characteristics
- Animal cruelty and injury.
- Impulsivity and irritability
- Increased annoyance and distress
- Less eager to spend time with family
- Social seclusion and disengagement.
- Rude behaviour at home and in school
- Yelling, cursing, and using foul language
- Ignoring authority figures and breaking the law.
- Engaging in anti-social online behaviour, such as cyberbullying, cyber abuse, or sending upsetting messages to people by pretending to be someone else.
When these behavioural indications are recognized and treated, crimes committed by delinquents may be prevented. To confirm the symptoms, consider the frequency and disruption to adolescent’s everyday activities. The behaviour of the adolescent must be observed because intellect and emotion are often veiled underneath it. Any difficulties they may have with their feelings and thoughts show themselves in their behaviour. Individuals with conditions like conduct disorders, ADHD, oppositional and defiant disorders, and some personality disorders can exhibit these symptoms.
Read More: Psychology Behind Digital Arrests and CyberCrime, According to Experts
How to deal with problematic behaviour
- Establishing and upholding family rules.
- Provide them with a healthy living environment.
- Establish tech usage guidelines with the teen’s input.
- Establish family values and never compromise on them.
- A feeling of affection and improved relations within the family.
- Assist the adolescent in overcoming the trauma they have endured.
- Engage them in conversation and pay attention to their ideas and opinions.
- Make sure you are always around them and spend a lot of time with them.
- Show consideration for their worries and sentiments, and avoid making fun of them in public.
- Reassure them that you are aware of the pubertal changes and will support them in managing them.
The use of behavioural therapy-based interventions such as token economy, time out, behaviour modelling, exposure therapy and cognitive restructuring helps reduce troublesome behaviour. Techniques for relaxation and stress reduction, problem-solving skills, social skills development, and cognitive behaviour therapy are all beneficial. Adolescent age goes through ups and downs just like a seesaw. Let children soar, but when they do, members of the environment, like parents, teachers, careers, etc., should hold their hands and offer support. With our assistance and love, we can ensure that they always remember their adolescence with a grin on their face. Let them cherish it forever.
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