Youth Risky and Antisocial Behaviors in Newfoundland and Labrador: The Perspectives of Young People

What do young people know about youth risky and antisocial behaviors (RASB) and what do they suggest could be done to address these behaviors? Although there is much literature on youth RASB, there has been little qualitative exploration of the question stated here. The current study aimed to broach the question and to fill the gap. The study contributes to extant literature by exploring types of RASB among youth, reasons for these behaviors, and possible ways to address them from the perspectives of young people in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). Constructivist and interpretive perspectives where reality is determined through the social processes of subjectivity and intersubjectivity informed the study. Eighteen young people aged 15 to 24 years participated in three focus group discussions (FGD), and data were analyzed thematically. The three main themes resulting from the process were: (1) a spectrum of behaviors, which comprised six types of behaviors; (2) constructed explanations, where participants identified five possible reasons for RASB; and (3) suggested interventions, which comprised three subthemes on interventions to address youth RASB. The findings and their implications for further research and for policy and practice are discussed. Youth risky and antisocial behaviors in Newfoundland and LabradorThis study contributes to current literature by finding out the types of risky and antisocial behaviors among youth, reasons or explanations for these behaviors, and what measures could be put in place to help youth overcome these negative behaviors. The study was conducted in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Eighteen young people aged between 15 and 24 years participated in focus group discussions to provide data for the study. Following data analysis, we discovered six antisocial behaviors, five reasons for these behaviors, and three suggested measures to address these behaviors. The findings are very useful for professional practice and for further research on youth antisocial behaviors in Newfoundland and Labrador and in Canada.