Overt and Covert Delinquency: Socio-Demographic Correlates in Justice-Involved Adolescent Males

• Published date: 01 September 2023
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X221102832
• Author: Subhranshu Sekhar Dhal,Niranjan Mohanty,Nirmal Kumar Mohakud,Ansuman Panigrahi,Manaswinee Sahoo
• Date: 01 September 2023
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X221102832

International Journal of

Offender Therapy and

Comparative Criminology

2023, Vol. 67(12) 1272 –1281

© The Author(s) 2022

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DOI: 10.1177/0306624X221102832

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Article

Overt and Covert

Delinquency:

Socio-Demographic

Correlates in Justice-Involved

Adolescent Males

Subhranshu Sekhar Dhal1, Niranjan Mohanty2,

Nirmal Kumar Mohakud2, Ansuman Panigrahi3,

and Manaswinee Sahoo4

Abstract

Delinquent offenses among adolescents is an important public health concern

worldwide and has been increasing at an alarming rate in India. The study aimed to

assess the prevalence and pattern of delinquency among justice-involved adolescent

(JIA) males and determine the associated socio-demographic factors. This cross-

sectional study was carried out during the year 2016 to 2019 among 178 male

inmates (aged 10–18 years) of an observation home situated at Berhampur city in

the state of Odisha, India. More than half (52.8%) of the JIA males committed overt

delinquent acts and 47.2% committed covert delinquent acts. Drug trafficking (34.5%)

tops the list among different covert delinquent acts followed by stealing things

(33.3%) whereas rape (62.8%) was the most frequently committed overt delinquent

act followed by murder (25%). Results of the multivariate analysis revealed that older

age {adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 4.05; 95% CI [1.73, 9.51]}, lower education status

of mother (aOR: 2.81; 95% CI [1.09, 7.22]), single parenthood (aOR: 4.58; 95% CI

[1.27, 16.58]), and non-supportive parenting (aOR: 3.13, 95% CI [1.44, 6.80]) were

significantly associated with overt delinquency in JIA males. The prevalence of overt

delinquency among JIA males was high. Interventional measures incorporating these

determinants should be designed to address overt delinquency in this population.

1Narayana Hrudalaya, Bangalore, India

2Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology University, Bhubaneswar, India

3ICMR-NIIRNCD, Jodhpur, India

4Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India

Corresponding Author:

Ansuman Panigrahi, Scientist-E, Epidemiology Division, ICMR-NIIRNCD, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342005,

India.

Email: dr.ansuman3@gmail.com

1102832IJOXXX10.1177/0306624X221102832International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative CriminologyTadros et al.

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