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The coping strategies of at-risk adolescents
Author
Ling, Ai Hua
Supervisor
Smith, Ian David
Abstract
This study investigates risk-taking behaviours of young male offenders from the perspective of their stress and coping strategies. Risk-taking behaviors are not to be seen as mere antisocial acts of adolescents; rather they need to be understood as adolescents' efforts in trying to manage certain external and/or internal demands that they find to be stressful or that exceeding their resources. A sample of 29 young offenders residing at a boys' hostel in Singapore participated in this study, 9 of whom were interviewed. Four hypotheses were confirmed in this study of at-risk adolescents: (1) the major sources of stress for most of them are their family and school; (2) risk-taking activities with peer gangs are avenues in which troubled adolescents cope with their negative emotions arising out of frustrating familial and school circumstances; (3) most adolescents tend to seek social support from their delinquent peer gangs; and (4) greater involvement with delinquent peer groups is likely to increase the intensity of risk-taking behaviours as well as worsening the relationship with their non- delinquent peers. Implications for counselling professionals and policymakers are also discussed.
Date Issued
2000
Call Number
HV9203 Lin
Date Submitted
2000