CONTEMPORARY APPROACHES TO WORKING WITH AT-RISK YOUTH: PSYCHOLOGICAL AND CRIMINOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7251/AKPR2601019DKeywords:
youth at risk, risky behavior, risk and protective factors, psychological support, preventionAbstract
The aim of this paper is to analyze contemporary psychological and criminological approaches to working with youth at risk, with a particular focus on risk and protective factors, psychological support, and contemporary models for the prevention of risky and delinquent behavior. The study applied content analysis, comparative analysis, and synthesis of relevant scientific and professional literature in the fields of psychology, criminology, juvenile delinquency prevention and related social sciences. The results indicate that risky and delinquent behaviors arise through the cumulative interaction of individual and social risk factors, while protective factors, resilience, and psychological support play a significant preventive role. The findings also confirm the importance of early intervention, multisectoral cooperation, and restorative approaches in working with youth at risk. It is concluded that effective prevention requires the integration of psychological and criminological perspectives, as well as coordinated action by relevant social actors aimed at the successful reintegration of youth into the community.
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