Desistance from Crime among Chinese Delinquents: The Integrated Effects of Family Bonding, Prosocial Models, and Religious Bonding

Grace W.Y. Au, Dennis S.W. Wong

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Desistance from crime is a popular topic in global criminological research; however, few studies have focused on desistance among delinquent youth, particularly in non-Western societies. This study extends the current knowledge by examining pathways of youth desistance in Hong Kong. Thirty delinquent youth and six parent–child dyads were interviewed, and the study found that filial piety significantly impacts the process of youth desistance. Three main forms of social capital were closely associated with youth desistance: the revival of reciprocal family bonding, the presence of a prosocial role model, and religious bonding. An interactive model was constructed to illustrate the seven stages of desistance and highlight the key elements for successful desistance among youth delinquents in Hong Kong.

Original languageEnglish
Article number5894
JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume19
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2022

Keywords

  • crime and delinquency
  • crime prevention and intervention
  • offender rehabilitation

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