Abstract
Adolescence is an especially risky phase for the appearance of antisocial behaviors. Antisocial behavior produces significant individual and social harms, so it is important to provide keys for prevention and treatment. To do that, it is essential to identify the main predictors. The objective of this study is to analyze the effect of family (affection and communication, behavioral control) and friends (antisocial friendships) on adolescent antisocial behavior, as well as the mediating role of adolescent impulsivity and empathy on these relationships. Previously validated questionnaires measuring parental affection and communication, and behavioral control, as well as adolescent impulsivity, empathy, antisocial friendships, and antisocial behavior were applied to 3199 adolescents in Asturias (Spain), aged between 11 and 18 (M = 14.03; SD = 1.39). Descriptive, correlational, and structural equation analysis were performed. Antisocial friendships were a risk factor for antisocial behavior in adolescence, with a moderate effect size. The effect is mostly direct, although it is also indirect through the positive relationship with adolescent impulsivity and low empathy. The two analyzed parenting style dimensions (affection and communication, and behavioral control) demonstrate a protective effect, albeit small, on adolescent antisocial behavior. There is a direct protective effect, but it is mostly indirect through the negative relationship with antisocial friendships and low adolescent empathy. Parental behavioral control can be a risk factor for antisocial behavior, through the positive relationship with adolescent impulsivity. This study helps to clarify the causal mechanisms of antisocial behavior in adolescence, as a basis for its prevention and treatment.
Highlights
Antisocial behavior is usually understood to be behavior that violates social norms and harms the rights of others (Peña and Graña, 2006)
Antisocial behavior was statistically significantly related to the other variables included in the starting model as predictor variables
The relationship is positive with antisocial friendships and impulsivity; and negative with affection and communication, parental control, and the adolescents’ empathy
Summary
Antisocial behavior is usually understood to be behavior that violates social norms and harms the rights of others (Peña and Graña, 2006). Many people exhibit this kind of behavior at some point in their lives. This is usually infrequent and limited to certain points in time and specific contexts. Adolescence is prone to it, as it is a stage of seeking and experimentation which is key to the formation of personal identity and in which peer acceptance is Family, Friends, and Antisocial Behavior important. Antisocial behavior is occasionally used by adolescents to be accepted, or to improve their status within a group. In a small number of cases, antisocial behavior can be a stable characteristic that persist into adulthood (Moffitt, 1993)
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