Risk and protective factors for youth delinquency; the road towards true evidence-based policymaking

Abstract

This systematized literature review aims to identify the predominant risk and protective factors associated with youth delinquency across multiple domains, including individual, family, peer, and broader social contexts. A comprehensive search of academic databases yielded 32 eligible peer-reviewed studies published since 2001. The analysis revealed several key risk factors within the individual domain, such as antisocial behaviours, alcohol and drug use, and the absence of protective traits like impulse control and intelligence. Family-related risk factors included parental delinquency, certain parenting practices, and weak family relations. Peer influences emerged as a significant domain, with delinquent peer associations strongly linked to youth offending, while positive peer relationships served as a protective factors. Within the broader social context, living in high-crime neighbourhoods and lack of school connectedness were identified as risk factors, although conflicting findings exist regarding neighbourhood effects. Cumulative risk, where multiple factors across domains converge, was highlighted as a critical predictor of persistent, serious offending. The study underscores the interplay between risk and protective factors across domains, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to prevention and intervention strategies. Recommendations include further research on neighbourhood effects in the Dutch context, examining differential risk profiles for adolescence-limited versus life-course persistent offending, and exploring policy implications. Despite limitations such as the lack of raw data access and potential publication bias, the systematized review provides a robust synthesis of existing literature, adhering to PRISMA guidelines and employing rigorous screening and analysis procedures.