Ecological Pathways to Youth Delinquency in China: A Qualitative Study of Cumulative and Interacting Risks Across Family, Peer, and School Domains

Youth delinquency results from the accumulation of risks across multiple life domains rather than being caused by risks in a particular area of life. This qualitative study examines how family, peer, school, and individual-level risks interact to shape delinquent pathways. Based on semi-structured interviews with 41 juvenile offenders aged 14 to 17 in Xiangyang, China, thematic analysis reveals that risk factors such as parental absence, school disengagement, peer coercion, and emotional dysregulation often reinforce one another over time. These interwoven risks form cumulative trajectories that increase adolescents’ vulnerability to criminal behavior. This study highlights the dynamic and recursive nature of risk factors embedded within adolescents’ life systems. Findings suggest that effective prevention strategies should target multiple systems simultaneously, including family support, school engagement, and peer environment interventions.