Risk factors for infractional practices of adolescents submitted to Socioeducational Measures: scoping review

Abstract

Objective: To analyze risk factors associated with juvenile delinquency among adolescents subjected to Socio-Educational Measures. Data Source: A scoping review was conducted using search strategies across six databases (Web of Sciece, MEDLINE, LILACS, Embase, Scopus, Scielo). The process was carried out by two independent reviewers, following the recommendations of the Joanna Briggs Institute and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist. Data Synthesis: The final sample comprised 27 studies that addressed risk factors linked to juvenile delinquency among adolescents. The main factors identified included: psychoactive substance use; childhood maltreatment; psychiatric disorders; sexual abuse; divorced, deceased and/or justice-involved parents; poverty; physical neglect; association with delinquent peers; emotional abuse; school dropout; problematic alcohol use; Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); Black racial identity; and engagement in problematic gambling. Conclusion: Adolescents who commit delinquent acts experience multiple and interrelated risk factors. Therefore, a broad range of interventions is required to reduce the likelihood of juvenile delinquency. Among these, the development and implementation of effective public policies stand out as essential to lessen the incidence of risk factors affecting these adolescents and their families.