Beginning the Thai family matters project: an areal analysis of bad neighborhoods and adolescents' problematic behaviours in Thailand

Abstract

Under the Thai Family Matters program initiative, this study investigates an association between neighborhood characteristics and problematic behaviors including alcohol and drug use, and sexual and delinquent behaviors among Thai adolescents. Data were derived from 420 families whose children aged 13-14 were selected from 30,471 households enumerated and listed from 245 blocks in seven districts in Bangkok Metropolis including Min Buri, Pathum Wan, Bangkok Noi, Bang Kho Laem, Sai Mai, Wang Thonglang and Suan Luang. Probability Proportional to Size method (PPS) was used in the sample selection process. Interviews were conducted with one parent and one adolescent in each household. Areal analysis shows that adolescents’ problematic behaviors are significantly related to the districts where they live as well as the bad neighborhood characteristics that they reported. The study confirmed that any micro – level family program to prevent or correct problematic behaviors of adolescents need to also take into account the macro – level approach to manage the difficult neighborhoods as well as to deal with the bad environment in the broader areas of Bangkok Metropolis where the adolescents live.