The present study aimed to explore the attitudes of juvenile and non-juvenile delinquents, and the differences between these attitudes towards the role of preferred recreation activities (PRA) in preventing delinquency. A total of 569 male adolescents participated in the study (age range of 16–18 years). Participants consisted of 219 juvenile delinquents who were being held in custody by the juvenile authority, and 350 non-juvenile delinquents who were public high school students. In the present study a quantitative method was used, and the data was collected by using a questionnaire. Overall, the results indicated that the PRA had a key role in preventing delinquency. The role rates of PRA in preventing delinquency were the highest, because such activities provide thrill-seekers with an optimal level of arousal, followed by reducing leisure boredom, and coping successfully with the stresses of adolescent development, respectively. Juvenile delinquents scored significantly higher than did non-juvenile delinquents in terms of the role of PRA for delinquency prevention by providing thrill-seekers with an optimal level of arousal and reducing leisure boredom. The findings recommended that recreation professionals should consider what recreation activities could be offered to reduce leisure boredom and meet the optimal arousal level of thrill-seekers to satisfy their needs for enjoyment and excitement, which in turn prevent delinquency behaviors.
