Lack of data hampers understanding of youth crime in the region. However, reports prepared for a United Nations meeting show that much attention has focused on the causes of crime. Topics emphasized have included socialization, education, the role of peer groups, delinquency in large cities, delinquency among ethnic groups, the use of leisure time, alcohol use, and workplace factors. The research has focused on both juvenile delinquency factors and possible prevention measures. Eastern European nations vary in their criminological traditions. Surveys are a basic form of research used to gather descriptive data. Few case studies, predictive studies, evaluations, and community-oriented research efforts have taken place, however. State agencies or university research units sponsor the research. Delinquency research is often unrewarding to researchers and regarded unfavorably by policymakers in Eastern Europe, because it involves a negative social phenomenon. Areas that should receive priority in future research include the family environment, ways to build positive work habits and values, peer groups, delinquency in large cities, and the organization of leisure time. Gaining policymakers' confidence in advance may promote the implementation of research results. Notes and 27 references.