Anxiety and Antisocial Behavior

Abstract

The present study examines how perceptions of social prominence and attitudes toward antisocial behavior among peers moderate the association between anxiety and antisocial behavior among incarcerated females. Latent profile analysis identified two classes of females distinguished by their perceptions and attitudes. Individuals in both classes reported similar admiration of those who engage in antisocial behavior and similar desire to be perceived as such. Yet one group believed themselves to be socially prominent among peers and desired to be so (Socially Prominent group), whereas the other group was less likely to report, and desire, social prominence among peers (Socially Secondary group). Importantly, trait anxiety was related to greater antisocial behavior among socially secondary but not socially prominent females. Thus, in developmental periods when peers are salient, social prominence may be important for understanding why anxiety is associated with greater antisocial behavior for some females, but not others.