Academic Resilience as a Protective Mechanism Against Delinquent Behaviour: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Adolescent delinquency is a complex developmental phenomenon shaped by the interplay of personality dispositions, mental health vulnerabilities, and educational engagement. Empirical research from Western contexts has established robust associations between Big Five personality traits, psychopathological symptomatology, and antisocial behaviour; however, evidence from South Asian contexts particularly the conflict-affected region of Jammu and Kashmir remains entirely absent from the peer-reviewed literature. Objectives: This systematic review synthesises empirical literature to examine (i) the nature and magnitude of the relationship between personality traits and potential delinquency in adolescents; (ii) the role of mental health as a mediating or moderating variable; (iii) the protective function of academic resilience; and (iv) the moderating effects of socio-personal factors including gender, family type, and domicile. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines and a PICO-structured search strategy, a systematic search of the Scopus database yielded 142 peer-reviewed records spanning 2015 to 2026. Records were screened against pre-specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. The final synthesis employs a narrative approach given study design heterogeneity, with thematic grouping across four conceptual domains. Results: The corpus (N = 142) encompasses studies from over 20 countries, with longitudinal designs most prevalent (n = 21). Convergent evidence confirms that low conscientiousness, low agreeableness, and high neuroticism are robust predictors of delinquent tendencies. Mental health problems particularly anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation co-occur with antisocial behaviour through bidirectional pathways. Academic resilience emerges as a significant protective factor, attenuating delinquency risk even in the presence of adverse personality profiles and poor mental health. Critically, no study in the identified corpus was conducted in South Asia, confirming a substantial geographic and cultural gap.