The Relationship between Conformity and Risky Behavior among Adolescents in Conflict with the Law at the Remand Home and Rehabilitation Center, Addis Ababa

The main objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between conformity and risky behavior among adolescents in conflict with the law at remand home and rehabilitation center. It was also aimed to investigate gender difference on conformity and risky behavior between male and female adolescents. Moreover the difference among early, middle and late adolescents on conformity and risky behavior was investigated. Quantitative data were collected from 111 respondents who were in conflict with the law at The Remand Home and Rehabilitation Center.

All available adolescents between the ages of 11 to 17who were in conflict with the law at the remand home and rehabilitation center were selected. The data was analyzed through various statistical techniques which include frequency, percentage, mean, independent sample t-test, one way ANOVA, post hoc analysis, Pearson and correlation coefficient. The results of the study showed that, conformity and risky behavior among adolescents have strong direct relationship.

It showed that, an adolescent who conform more to others behavior, engages in risky behavior more than that of who conform less. The study showed that, there was no significant difference between male and female adolescents who were in conflict with the law in conformity as well as in risky behaviors. The study also showed, there was significant difference among early, middle and late adolescents in conformity and risky behavior. Late adolescents found to be more conformant and engage in risky behavior more than early and middle adolescents. This possibly could be late adolescents’ awareness and exposure to social context is higher than early and middle adolescents. When their exposure increases, they might consider acting in accordance with the demand of others which might increase late adolescents’ susceptibility for conformity and risky behaviors than early and middle adolescents.