The Role of Social Intelligence in the Relationship between Value System and Criminal Thinking (Case Study: Teenagers from Families Covered by Support Institutions)

 Many of the norm-breaking behaviors that occur in teenagers are rooted in their false beliefs and criminal thinking; therefore, by examining the factors affecting criminal thinking, we can try to reduce these behaviors. The aim of the present study was to find the mediating role of social intelligence in the relationship between value system and criminal thinking.

 In terms of its objectives this study is of an applied research type and in terms of method, it is considered as a descriptive and correlational study and structural equations modeling. The statistical population included all high school boys and girls of the second grade of families covered by support institutions (Relief and Welfare Committee) who were studying in Qala Ganj city in the academic year of 1997-1998. Among these, 319 individuals were selected to participate in the research through convenient sampling. The data were collected using criminal thinking questionnaires, Tromsø social intelligence and Schwartz's value system and were analyzed using the structural equation analysis method with the help of AMOS and SPSS software version 24.

 The research findings showed that the value system had a positive effect on the social intelligence (p<0.001, β=0.48) of the research participants. Both social intelligence (p < 0.001, β = -0.69) and value system (p < 0.001, β = -0.47) had a negative effect on criminal thinking. Also, the fit indices showed that the default model has a good fit and social intelligence plays a mediating role in the relationship between value system and criminal thinking.

 Based on the findings, it can be concluded that social intelligence, along with the value system, is an effective factor in reducing criminal thinking. Therefore, by strengthening the value system and social intelligence of teenagers by using cultural and educational programs organized by support institutions, it is possible to prevent the emergence of criminal thinking and, as a result, the tendency to delinquent behavior in them.