Juvenile Drug Abuse in Thailand: Factors Related to Antisocial Behavior of Juveniles

Abstract

The Objective of this study was to assess juvenile drug abuse in Thailand with special emphasis on factors related to antisocial behavior of the juveniles. By using a structured questionnaire, data of 210 detained male juveniles at Bangkok Bann Metta Remand Center were collected. Descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance (one-way-ANOVA), multiple comparisons and multiple linear regressions respectively were applied to test the difference of means among 3 juvenile groups: drug criminals, rehabilitated patients, and other criminals. As for the results, one-way-ANOVA indicated that there was significant difference among groups (p<0.01); and multiple comparisons indicated that there was significant difference between rehabilitated group and other criminal group (p<0.05). It was also found that the coefficients of indicators of antisocial behavior with regard to long-term factors - background and impulsiveness had power to explain for 6.3%; while for the short-term factors - opportunity to be a victim (daily routines) and cognitive process including decision-making had power to explain for 20.5%.