A Study On The Impact Of Family Environment On Juveniles In Conflict With The Law: A Criminal Psychology Perspective
Dr. Sangita Hazarika, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Legal Studies, Arunachal University of Studies, Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh. (India)
Mr. Subhajit Kanu, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Legal Studies, Arunachal University of Studies, Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh. (India)
ABSTRACT
Family relationships provide an important context in which children develop patterns of conduct, emotional responses, values, and ways of dealing with conflict. The present study examines how the family setting is associated with delinquent behaviour among juveniles in conflict with the law, with particular attention to psychological processes. Factors considered include parental monitoring, family conflict, neglect, communication, discipline, emotional support, domestic violence, substance misuse, and socioeconomic circumstances. The study uses a mixed-method design, combining structured questionnaires, interviews, observation, and, where ethically appropriate, psychological assessment. Secondary material includes scholarly works, government publications, National Crime Records Bureau material, and relevant juvenile justice records subject to permission. The quantitative component examines respondents' perceptions through Likert-scale items, while qualitative information is intended to provide contextual understanding of their experiences. The findings reported in this paper show high agreement that psychological characteristics and family conditions are related to juvenile delinquent behaviour. Emotional instability received the strongest agreement among the psychological items, while positive family relationships received the strongest agreement among the family- environment items. The study also recognises that juvenile delinquency is multidimensional and cannot be explained by family circumstances alone. The findings support family-focused counselling, early identification of risk, constructive parental supervision, psychological support, rehabilitation and reintegration measures.
Keywords: juvenile delinquency; family environment; criminal psychology; parenting; family conflict; rehabilitation.
