Abstract:
The purpose of this research study were to examine (1) the influence of family support and meaning in life on wellness of juveniles delinquents with substance abuse, and (2) psychological experiences of family support, meaning in life, and wellness of the juvenile delinquents with substance abuse. The concurrent triangulation mixed methods design was employed. Participants in quantitative method were 249 juvenile delinquents with substance abuse. Eight participants who completed the questionnaires were invited and interviewed for the qualitative study. Instruments included demographic questionnaire, Perceived Social Support from Parents, Purpose in Life, Perceived Wellness Survey, and an interview protocol. Quantitative data were analyzed using Structure Equation Modeling through LISREL. Qualitative data were analyzed using phenomenological analysis. Findings were as follows: The causal model where family support was used to predict wellness of juvenile delinquents with substance abuse with meaning in life being a mediator, fit the empirical data ( = 25.49, df = 22, p = .27, GFI = .98, RMSEA = .03). The model accounted for 49 percent of the variance of wellness (R2 = .49, p < .01). The total effect of family support was the most salient in predicting wellness (β = .64, p < .01), followed by the direct effect of family support (β = .50, p < .01), and the indirect effect of family support via meaning in life (β = .13, p < .01), respectively. Additionally, the direct effect of meaning was .32 (β = .32, p < .01). The qualitative findings revealed five themes of psychological experiences; the inattentativeness which lead to falsification and the usage of addictive substances; the awareness of their health conditions along with changes; the aspects about their relationships with family and other associates; learning how to cope with their emotions and fellings; and the personal growth of their wellness after they had moved in the regional juvenile vocational training centres.