A Case Study on Peer Influence and Peer Pressure in Juvenile Delinquency

Adolescence is a critical stage where individuals are vulnerable to engaging in delinquent behaviors due to the ongoing development of their brain. In this stage, peer presences are believed to influence and to pressure adolescents to commit delinquent acts. Juvenile delinquency is a pressing social issue that not only affects the well-being and mortality of adolescents but also imposes a substantial economic burden on society. This study aims to expand public knowledge by examining adolescents' perceptions of juvenile delinquency and exploring the ways in which peer influence and peer pressure affect delinquent behavior. Although peer influences and peer pressures are often viewed similarly, they impact adolescents’ involvement in delinquent activity in different ways. To meet the objectives of this study, a qualitative case study was conducted on five male adolescents in Sekolah Tunas Bakti, Kuala Lumpur. The findings indicate that peer influence has a stronger influence on juvenile delinquency compared to peer pressure. The study also highlights several ways in which peer influence and peer pressure contribute to juvenile delinquency, albeit with some contradictory findings. Additionally, some adolescents reported experiencing both peer influence and peer pressure simultaneously. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of developing effective interventions and prevention strategies for reducing juvenile delinquency.


Background
Adolescents are defined as "persons from 10 through 19 years of age" in accordance with the definition adopted by WHO and followed by UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund, 2018). The personal networks were constructed by family and peers who yearn to meet peers who were defined as. Building a close connection with peers (Amati et al., 2018) heightened the possibility to meet delinquent and non-delinquent peers (Gruber & Fandakova, 2021). Along with the affection of delinquent peers, adolescents were easier to commit delinquent acts which the adolescent' involvement in delinquency was known as juvenile delinquency. The children statistic data released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (2021) has dispersed huge difference between number of children involved in crime in year 2019 and in year 2020.
Number of children involved in crime has been risen from 4,833 cases in year 2019 to 5,342 cases in 2020. Hence, peer delinquency was believed to be associated in the reciprocal relationship between delinquency and peer bonds.
Along with the abatement on Movement Control Order in year 2022, physical approach, and intimate relationship exchange will be involved more in human life. Being one of the risk factors that drove adolescents to commit delinquent acts (Surong & Lyngdoh, 2020). The study of Zakaria and colleagues (2022) reported five out of twelve participants admitted being involved in delinquent behavior when being with a peer gang. Additionally, pressures or urges from peers strongly correlated with the tendency of juvenile delinquency (Khan, 2018). Nonetheless, Yusuf et al (2021) emphasized on the immaturity in erudition of peer influence, peer pressure and juvenile delinquency in the study.

Juvenile Delinquency
From the past studies (Lobos, 2020), the conceptualization of factors that lead to juvenile delinquency within simplistic interpretations is too broad. Economists, psychologists, and biologists were the most visible disciplinary starting points for understanding juvenile delinquency (Gruber & Fandakova, 2021). An adolescent adopted delinquent behaviors from the peer bonds, in a criminogenic scene (Chrysoulakis, 2020). Delinquent peer association and the criminogenic exposure are prevalent on the contributions to adolescents' routine activities. The peer selection processes are based on the homophily peer groups (Huijsmans et al., 2019). Adolescents' curiosity triggered the urges of exploring phenomena and behaviors, exceptionally the involvement with rewarded delinquent behavior.

Peer Influence
Adolescents were incited apiece due to the dynamic construct of brain systems easily and are involved in delinquent acts (Ciranka & van den Bos, 2019). The research of Gruber and Fandakova (2021) indicated adolescents consisted of a high curiosity level with surroundings. Adolescents' sustainable brain development ameliorate the peer influence and pressure into growth development. Development of 'social brain', and other models stressed on the relatively slow maturation of cognitive control systems. Adolescents were to be more influenced by peers due to the immaturity of cognitive control system. Connection with delinquent peers paradoxically heightened the probability of juvenile delinquency. Yusuf et al. (2021) evinced delinquent peer influence promoted delinquent impulses. Out of curiosity, adolescents imitated the single same-gendered unfamiliar peers' risky decision-making, though the behavior is not likely to be socially rewarded (Riedijk & Harakeh, 2017).

Peer Pressure
The stress or strains spread by peers to encourage the duplication of uncomfortable acts (Dhull & Beniwal, 2017) was conspicuous in the generation. Adolescents' actions and beliefs were shaped to align with peers' opinions and behaviors as a specific response to the pressure to further engage in delinquent behaviors (Yusuf et al., 2021). Laursen and Baur (2022) claimed that perceived gaps between peer-group norms and individual behavior guided the adolescents' future conformity behavior. The spread of delinquent peers' cultures normalized the peer group culture and inclination of committing juvenile delinquency.
As a coercive social contingency, peer rejection that elicited environmental response to the adolescents' behavior. People who were excluded and hurt against by peer members, including overt forms of control, exclusion, and more subtle ways were inclined to the group orders. In the experiment, Davis and Allen (2021) proved that social rejection by peers acts as a social stressor that increases a tendency to react aggressively among children. Yusuf et al (2021) further implicated the fear of isolation drove people to join a peer group, and indulging in delinquent acts, especially the withdrawal from peers. The time spent and attachment with peers contributed to the adolescents' engagement of delinquent acts.

The Current Study
Juvenile individuals undergo significant physical, cognitive, and psychosocial growth, which makes them more susceptible to influence from their social relationships (Fitzgerald et al., 2012). As adolescents grow older, the influence of parents in their lives tends to diminish, with peers taking on a more prominent role (Franjić, 2020;Kopf & Anderson, 2019). An individual conceivably lingers longer time with peers plausibly influence individuals' perceptions and involvement in juvenile delinquency (Utržan et al., 2018). Yu et al (2021) and Ciranka et al (2019) agreed that the deviant peer influence may increase delinquent behaviors and risk-taking behaviors. Opposingly, Desrosiers and colleagues (2016) reported a delinquent act such as drug-usage began in humans' early life, delinquent acts were not related with peers' existence in one's life. Some researchers claimed to collect more meticulous evidence for allowing greater confidence of the peer influences (Yusuf et al., 2021). Past studies are limited to indicate ways of peer pressure that would be perceived by adolescents in juvenile delinquency (Ramasamy et al., 2020).
The current study aims to explore additional ways in which peer influence and peer pressure affect juvenile delinquency. Collection of more meticulous evidence may allow greater confidence in understanding the role of peers in juvenile delinquency. Strengthening and enhancing public knowledge and awareness of the various forms of peer influence and peer pressure in juvenile delinquency is a key objective of this study. Throughout this study, the awareness of teenagers' delinquent acts that were influenced by peers were expected to rise as well as the parents, and any related authorities after conducting the research.

Research Method and Design
The study was conducted in a qualitative research method to explore the juvenile delinquents' background (Neubauer et al., 2019) as the qualitative research method had a significant effect in gathering extensive data and gaining new insights to explore a phenomenon (Neubauer et al., 2019). The research design applied in the study was a collective case study design. The researcher collected data based on semi structured interview methods and in-depth interview methods. To have an in-depth exploration in the cases, several instrumental cases can form a basis for the researcher to better conceptualize a theory and to theorize a larger collection of cases (Patnaik & Pandey, 2019).

Sample and Location
In this study, the researchers conducted interviews with a total of five male adolescents who were residing in a juvenile rehabilitation center in Kuala Lumpur. The choice of Kuala Lumpur as the location for this study was based on the fact that it has been reported to have the highest crime rate in Malaysia, as indicated by the report released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM, 2021).
The decision to include five consecutive participants aligns with the perspective proposed by Constantinou, Georgiou, and Perdikogianni (2017), who argued that a sample size of five consecutive participants could be sufficient for data collection and achieving data saturation. Therefore, in the current study, five male delinquents were recruited to participate in the research, aiming to gain insights and understandings related to the research objectives.
By focusing on this specific group of male adolescents in a juvenile rehabilitation center, the study aims to shed light on the perceptions and experiences of these individuals regarding juvenile delinquency and the influences of peer pressure and peer influence. The findings from this study can contribute to a better understanding of the ways in which peer influence affects juvenile delinquency and inform the development of targeted interventions and prevention strategies.
The Table 2.1 below shows the details of the five male participants who age from 14 years to 18 years old. Out of five participants, four participants are Malay, and one participant is an Indian. The participants report on committed drug-related crime (n = 2), rape (n = 1), burglary (n = 1), and the possession of stolen property (n=1).

Data Collection Procedure
Prior to data collection, the researcher had initially sought permission from the Department of Social Welfare Malaysia (Reference code: JKMM 100/12/5/2: 2022 / 570). The permission from the Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) (Reference code: IEC-2022-FOSSLA-066) from UCSI University has been sought before the data collection process.
The interview questions underwent a rigorous review process by field experts to ensure their validity and relevance. The interviews commenced with a debriefing session, providing necessary information and clarifications to the participants. Subsequently, an in-depth interview session, lasting approximately 50 minutes, was conducted to gather comprehensive data. The entire research process spanned over a period of 2 months. The research concluded with a thorough data analysis using the thematic analysis method, allowing for meaningful interpretation and identification of key themes within the collected data.

Data Analysis
Following the data collection phase, the researcher proceeded with verbatim transcription of the interview data, ensuring accuracy in preserving the participants' responses. Thematic analysis, as outlined by Nowell and colleagues (2017), was employed to identify, analyze, and interpret the data. This involved several steps, including becoming familiar with the data, creating initial codes to categorize the information, generating and reviewing initial themes, assigning labels and descriptions to the identified themes, and ultimately reporting the analyzed data. The thematic analysis approach, as described by Braun and Clarke (2022), facilitated a comprehensive exploration of the collected data, allowing for a deeper understanding and interpretation of the participants' perspectives and experiences.

Results
The findings of the present research revealed several themes, under the aspect of peer influence and peer pressure, which related to the male adolescents' involvement in crime. The identified themes were as follows: (1) eagerness for instant gratification; (2) social activities; (3) negative peer circle; (4) strong discernment; (5) invitation from delinquent peers; and (6) peer harassment.

Eagerness for instant gratification
The eagerness for instant gratification was one of the factors that contributed to the adolescents' criminal involvement. The findings indicated that all participants (100%) who were involved in juvenile delinquency perceived delinquency as the immediate ways to fulfil desires. The instant gratification to adolescents in delinquency helped to obtain the targeted objects instantly after committing delinquent acts. The eagerness resulted juvenile delinquents treat crimes as a convenient way to fulfil desires. Participant 1, for example, stated that he committed delinquency because of the financial burden. Participant 5 addressed that he felt a positive emotion instantly after committing delinquency. Based on the above excerpts, it can be observed that eagerness for instant gratification have been identified as one of the factors contribute to the adolescents' involvement in crime.
Adolescents who eager for objects normally commit delinquency and more prone to the feelings of fulfilling desires in an immediate way.

Social Activities
Social activities were one of the factors that contributed to the adolescents' criminal involvement. The findings indicated that all participants (100%) who were involved in juvenile delinquency perceived delinquency as a normal social activity with peers. The phenomenon of adolescents performed delinquent activities with peer frequently was common. The participants report on perceiving juvenile delinquency as a social activity with peers such as loitering at public areas and consuming drugs.

Negative Peer Circle
The third factor that contributed to the adolescents' involvement in delinquent acts was having a negative peer circle. A significant number of interviewees described on the issue. All participants (100%) reported a personal peer circle involved more delinquent peers compared to non-delinquent peers. Building a closer and intimate relationship with delinquent peers involved the frequency and intimacy of meeting times with delinquent peers drove them to commit delinquency. Participant 3, for example, stated that the relationship with delinquent peers started at a young time. The contact and attachment with delinquent peers contributed to the relationship between them. That person, my other friend commit the same delinquency, also involved in the delinquency of rape, now he is detained in Henry Gurney School. We have known each other and become friends since young (Participant 3) Beside the frequent contact and intimacy level can enhance the peer influence on juvenile delinquency. Another participant has revealed on the phenomenon of proximity level also contribute on the enhancement of juvenile delinquency. Participant 1, reported as building relationships with delinquent peers lately compared to other participants. Nonetheless, the nearby living places increased the contact and intimacy level between their relationships.
I knew the kids when I was staying at my mom's friend's house. They are bad and naughty kids. They will break into a building, breaking, stealing the laptops and chains... I never return home when I meet the bad kids, I always stay outside with them, and I am less likely to return home (Participant 1) Based on the above excerpts, it can be observed that negative peer circle has been identified as one of the factors contribute to the adolescents' involvement in delinquency. Adolescents who consist of negative peer circle commit delinquency in a higher probability.

Strong Discernment
Strong discernment was one of the factors that contributed to the development of delinquency among the involvement of male adolescents involved in the study. The participants reported having an opinion on delinquent acts. Some peers of the participants were giving advice on directing them to a correct and healthy path without involving delinquent acts. All participants claimed to have a strong discernment for the behavior of committing delinquency. They chose to commit delinquency out of their own willingness. Participant 1 clearly aware on the decisions and the risks of committing delinquency. Nevertheless, the environmental issues such as financial burdens made him to be firm about his personal choice of committing delinquency. Participant 3, further stated that with some peers provided effective advise while some did not and he chose to commit delinquency.

'No'. If I was given a chance to return to the old days, I will remain my decisions. As that time is in a crucial time, I will remain my opinions and my decisions to commit such delinquent acts as I clearly aware about the situation. Apparently, such delinquent act may help me and my family to go through such difficult time. (Participant 1)
Some of my friends tell me and advise me not to steal. However, some other friends did not give me any advice. However, I follow my heart and decisions to commit delinquent act.

My surrounding people cannot change my decisions and ideas. (Participant 3) Invitation from delinquent peers
The fifth factor that contributed to the adolescents' involvement in delinquent acts was having the invitation form peers. Some participants (40%) described the delinquent peers invited them to join a delinquent activity. Invitation and or allure by delinquent peers had become factors that led them to delinquency, resulting in male adolescents involving in delinquency. Participant 4, for example, stated that the close friend influenced and invited him to join delinquent acts. Participant 2, also claimed that he was invited and was allured to join a delinquent act while mingling with delinquent peers.
I was in a party that time, the host invited many people including some strangers. Everyone is very happy and, in an excitement, feeling. My close friend was invited to the party also. But another friend, invited me to take drugs. He is the one who approached me and influenced me to take drugs. He asked me verbally and gave me drugs. I didn't think of too much, as my surrounding people keep looking at me.

Peer harassment
The urge of peer harassment was seen as one of the factors that contributed to the development of delinquent acts among the male juveniles involved in the study. The findings indicated that 2 out of 5 participants (40%) claimed that they committed delinquent acts due to the urge of peer harassment. Participant 1, for instance, received mobile harassment from delinquent peers for not agreeing to join delinquent activities.
They will remind me or communicate with us through WhatsApp. For example, they will say they want to treat us by inviting us out (Participant 2) Some other overt forms of peer pressure can be seen from the categories of verbal harassment and criminal harassment. Participant 1, for example, had experienced both types of harassment for not responding and or not supporting the peers' delinquent activity. With the revenge from peers as verbally harass and physically hurt him for not supporting the activities.

Adolescents' Perception to Juvenile Delinquency
The proclivity of adolescents towards the activities and behaviors of their peers, their inclination towards immediate gratification, their limited consciousness, and their engagement in social activities are the primary determinants contributing to their perception of juvenile delinquency. The results of the current investigation align with prior research in certain respects. Adolescents are in a stage of development that encompasses behavioral, cognitive, and attentional changes. It is noteworthy that adolescents exhibit a heightened level of curiosity towards environmental phenomena and perceived stimuli. More precisely, any stimulus or novel object that is beyond a child's comprehension may elicit a psychological and emotional response, thus contributing to their overall development. Gruber and Fandakova (2021) have posited that the curiosity-driven exploration in adolescents is attributable to the information gaps and hippocampus-related factors. Moreover, Song and colleagues (2022) have expounded on the subject of adolescent curiosity, highlighting that imitative conduct could potentially lead them to participate in delinquent activities, including burglary. Huijsmans and his colleagues (2019) have elucidated on the concept of "social influences," which refer to the bonds that adolescents form with their parents and peers and are characterized as social relationships. The study revealed that adolescents who spend more time in the company of their peers, particularly those who engage in delinquent behavior, are at a greater risk of adopting similar delinquent behaviors.
Furthermore, research has established that higher rates of criminogenic behavior among adolescents are associated with the hours spent in unsupervised, peer-oriented activities (Chrysoulakis, 2020). Similarly, adolescents who are driven by a desire for instant rewards may exhibit impulsive behavior that lacks proper consideration. Delinquent behavior among adolescents is not necessarily a result of a willingness to engage in such acts, but rather is influenced by social factors. The level of reward sensitivity is contingent upon the content of the social information that adolescents receive from their peers (Ciranka et al., 2019). The present findings underscore the phenomenon of adolescents engaging in delinquent behavior as a consequence of their impulsivity and their tendency to seek instant gratification.
Previous researchers (Song et al., 2022) have indicated the phenomena of poor conscious awareness, especially to rules and laws in adolescents. In the present investigation, the results were observed that adolescents possessing deficient conscious awareness of surroundings exhibit an elevated propensity to engage in delinquent behaviors. Furthermore, the findings of the study demonstrate that such adolescents are prone to engaging in delinquency through a process of peer influence, wherein they emulate and replicate the behaviors of their peers. Another researcher, Huijsmans et al (2019) proved that individual's bad records and impulse controls positively correlated significantly between the variables of legal concept. The current findings consistent with the research of adolescents behave delinquently and the legal concept in mind.
Irrespective of the magnitude or configuration of social engagements, the peers of the subjects under investigation in the current study encountered a diverse range of challenges preceding the involvement of young individuals in criminal activities. It is observed that the participation of adolescents' "best friends" in delinquent behaviors during leisure hours is significantly linked to a heightened propensity for delinquency (Huijsmans et al., 2019). Peer's daily activities and or habits is the foundation that helps develop the perception of juvenile delinquency. According to prevalent discourse, adolescents engage in frequent peer interactions, which serve as the cornerstone for their understanding and interpretation of juvenile delinquency. In cases where social activities involve criminal elements, there exists a detrimental influence on the perception of delinquent behavior among adolescents. The acquisition of knowledge regarding delinquent acts, notably through the observation of peers engaging in activities such as truancy and burglary, has been found to render adolescents residing in conflict-ridden environments and experiencing psychological difficulties more susceptible to involvement in diverse criminal behaviors and societal predicaments.

Impact of Peer Influence on Juvenile Delinquency
In the current study, the investigation revolves around the various manners in which peer influence exerts an impact on juvenile delinquency, encompassing peers' involvement as accomplices, positive peer identification, negative peer associations, and robust discernment.
These aforementioned elements constitute the principal factors that contribute to the influence of peers on the occurrence of juvenile delinquency. Moreover, it is noteworthy to highlight that adolescents' peer networks have the propensity to develop early in life, particularly during the toddler years, with a particular emphasis on geographical proximity. (Chrysoulakis, 2020). Since adolescents' peer selection process and system are not yet fully developed, they are surrounded by both delinquent and non-delinquent peers. Corresponding with most research, the proximity and intimacy level of adolescents with peers are determining peer relationships. A strong positive relationship was found between the adolescents' shared environment and near living places resulting in criminal partnerships.
Adolescents are difficult to define and differentiate between delinquent and non-delinquent peers.
With the association of delinquent peers in life, adolescents are having a high possibility of committing delinquent behavior. Antisocial peers prioritized maximizing personal profits and financial beneficial in resolving decisions (Yu et al., 2021). Ciranka and van de Bos (2019) found that social motivation model, reward sensitivity model and distraction model may alter decision-making during adolescence. Individuals learned and performed delinquent acts, especially having a weak awareness of rules and laws of delinquency (Song et al., 2022). Risk aversion was valued by peers while social information induced safety-promoting behavior in adolescents. Adolescents who have a frequent engagement in activities with delinquent peers repeated the victimization and offending acts while adapting the peers' delinquent values and acts. Adolescents' immaturity on executing decisions form the phenomenon of adolescents imitating the same gender strangers' risky decisions while they are not confirmed with their decisions (Riedijk & Harakeh, 2017). Nonetheless, the past research has another claim that adolescents relied on peers' diversification information while making firm decisions of delinquent acts. Adolescents do not execute delinquent behavior while the peers suggest behaving after (Rao, 2021;Ciranka et al., 2019).

Impact of Peer Pressure on Juvenile Delinquency
Adolescents' attitudes and personalities are significantly influenced by their desire for social belonging within a peer group. During this developmental stage, peers assume the role of primary support in an adolescent's life. The present study demonstrates that adolescents engage in delinquent behavior as a consequence of peer pressure, making the approval of peers a top priority for them. This phenomenon has been substantiated by the research conducted by Davis and Allen (2021), which reveals that adolescents exhibit a heightened susceptibility to both peer acceptance and rejection. Consequently, adolescents conform to their peers' preferences, leading to delinquent activities. Furthermore, adolescents who deviate from the behaviors endorsed by their peers may experience rejection and harm from their peer group. Ramasamy and colleagues (2020) identified the general relationship between conformity and peer pressure among adolescents. Peer pressure has different effects in terms of the age variations (Khan, 2018) while the young adolescents receive more peer pressure rather than older adolescents. Adolescents are helped by peers and directed by peers to commit delinquency. For example, Chrysoulakis (2020) claims that adolescents are taught and directed by delinquent peers while they participate in their delinquent activities

Implications of Study
The implication of the study for family is to educate people on the fact that their presence is crucial role for correcting children's behavior and responsibilities within family, addressing concerns on children's mental health and well-being, to provide familial support in the children's reformation process, and filter children's peer qualities. Through this study, parents can figure the importance of educating adolescents from an early age with the right type of education. In turn, decreasing the possibility of delinquency and crimes among adolescents.
Simultaneously, the findings of the study will raise society's awareness on the influence of peer effects on juvenile delinquency. Additionally, the study shed lights on the family roles in adolescents' formation, and emphasizes the significant role that schools play in addressing issues arise among adolescents. Additionally, the study serves as a valuable guidance for developing modules in schools to prevent adolescents and or school students from engaging in a delinquent behavior. School also plays a role in trusting and assisting the adolescents who commit a delinquent act, instead providing help and guidance to direct them to a right path.
In this context, the Differential Association Theory effectively elucidates the social aspects of criminal behavior. The concern encompasses various forms of learning delinquent acts or crimes. Particularly, the present study explore the learning process of an individual's criminal intentions during unconscious mind states. In certain situations, the theory expands beyond the peer system to encompass interactions within the immediate neighbourhood or childhood peer groups. Consequently, this study is well-suited as a guide to develop family social work and community empowerment modules to prevent adolescents from engaging in crime and delinquency.

Conclusions
The findings of the present study indicate that peer pressure and peer influence are significant factors that increased the probability of adolescents committing crimes. The research study shows that peer influence appears more and affects the most to an adolescent. The results showed differences in how peer influence and peer pressure related to juvenile delinquents in committing delinquency based on peers' existence in life. Despite the limitations, the present study implies the importance for family and school to explore more on the issue. To find a way for improving and reducing the potentiality of adolescents associated with delinquency. The current study outcomes are in line with the publications on the aspect of exploring ways of peer influence and peer pressure affect juvenile delinquency. Extensively, the study further suggested peer influence is more significant compared to peer pressure.
More studies pertaining to the same issues and concerns with different gender and different groups of participants who are involved in different types of crimes and social issues are recommended. Helping future researchers to understand the effects of peer influence and peer pressure among adolescents in general, to a large extent among male adolescents. By understanding the factors that emerged in the present study, along with other related factors (such as influence of neighbourhood, peer group size, and more) can be explored on the influencing adolescents in committing delinquent acts.