Needs for Behavioral Refinement Based on Islamic Principles Among Muslim Juveniles With Risky Types of Behavior in Three Southern-Border Provinces of Thailand

Abstract

     The association was investigated between the need for behavioral refinement based on Islamic Principles among Muslim juveniles with or without risky types of behavior in the three southern border provinces of Thailand—namely, Pattani, Yala, and Naratiwat. Data were collected from 2,160 participants who were selected by a multi-stage sampling technique and their behavior analyzed by calculating odds ratios and employing chi-square tests using the EcStat program. The results revealed that the ten areas of needs considered in the study were significantly associated with different types of Muslim juveniles (with or without risky types of behavior) and that Muslim juveniles with risky types of behavior perceived themselves to need a lower level of behavioral refinement from Muslim leaders in eight areas of needs than those who had no or less risky types of behavior. These eight areas of needs were: association with friends of the same gender (1.37 times), association with friends of a different gender (1.48 times), education (1.50 times), use of free time (1.62 times), relationship with relatives (1.59 times), relationship with the community (1.72 times), religious practice (2.10 times), and volunteering for public services (1.67 times). The Muslim juveniles with risky types of behavior perceived themselves to need an intermediate level of behavioral development from Muslim leaders in two areas at a higher ratio than those who had no or less risky types of behavior. These two areas of need were protection against wrongful doings (1.53 times) and advice on clothes and outfits (1.63 times).