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Youth & Society, Vol. 36, No. 4, 445-470 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/0044118X04265090

Predictors of the Likelihood of Delinquency

A Study of Marginal Youth in Hong Kong, China

Ngan-Pun Ngai

Chinese University of Hong Kong

Chau-Kiu Cheung

Chinese University of Hong Kong

Different theories offer different factors, each of which partially explain delinquency in young people. An integrated framework incorporating these theories would provide a more complete explanation. Theories that need to be built into such a framework include social control, social learning, strain, and cognitive development theories. Data were collected from 229 marginal youth recruited through outreaching social work teams in Hong Kong. The results indicate that theories of cognitive development, social control, and social learning are important in predicting the likelihood of delinquency among marginal youth. They highlight the influences of the young people’s own theorizing about social problems, attachment to work, moral belief, and friends’ approval of delinquency. Moreover, their frustration and perceived social inequality were predictive of a lower likelihood of delinquency. The findings carry implications for the prevention of crime and delinquency.

Key Words: delinquency • marginal youth • crime


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