Inhibitory and Emotional Control Deficits as Predictors of Symptoms of Problem Behaviors among Juvenile Delinquents
Abdul Rahman Ahmad Badayai1, Rozainee Khairudin2, Wan Shahrazad Wan Sulaiman3
1Abdul Rahman Ahmad Badayai, Centre of Human and Societal Wellbeing, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, The National University of Malaysia, Bangi Selangor, Malaysia.
2Rozainee Khairudin, Centre of Human and Societal Wellbeing, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, The National University of Malaysia, Bangi Selangor, Malaysia.
3Wan Shahrazad Wan Sulaiman, Centre of Human and Societal Wellbeing, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, The National University of Malaysia, Bangi Selangor, Malaysia.
Manuscript received on 17 September 2019 | Revised Manuscript received on 04 October 2019 | Manuscript Published on 11 October 2019 | PP: 16-20 | Volume-8 Issue-2S10 September 2019 | Retrieval Number: B10030982S1019/2019©BEIESP | DOI: 10.35940/ijrte.B1003.0982S1019
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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: Executive dysfunction of inhibitory and emotional control deficits has not gained attention as a predictor in previous research on problem behaviors. Thus, this study examined inhibitory and emotional control deficits as predictors of symptoms of problem behaviors. There were 404 young offenders with various crimes such as stealing, substance use, rape, homicide, gang fights, and early sexual relation/pregnancy and out of control behavior participated in the study. Behavior Rating Instrument of Executive Function-Self Report (BRIEF-SR) and Achenbach System of Empirical Behavior Assessment (ASEBA-YSR) were employed, respectively. The results showed there was a significant relationships between inhibitory and emotional control deficits with both symptoms of problem behaviours; rule-breaking behavior and aggressive behavior. Moreover, based on regression weights, inhibitory control deficit was the best predictor of attention problems and aggressive behavior. On the contrary, an emotional control deficit was the best predictor of both symptoms of problem behaviors. In conclusion, the executive function plays a significant role in problem behaviors among juvenile delinquents. Thus early prevention based on both inhibitory and emotional controls component must be considered in three different settings such as family, school, and community. Thorough consideration in developing and inserting these two executive function components also are much needed in an educational setting as it is where adolescents spend much of the time.
Keywords: Inhibition, Emotion, Problem Behavior, Delinquency.
Scope of the Article: Social Sciences