Preliminary validity and reliability evidence of the Brief Antisocial Behavior Scale (B-ABS) in young adults from four countries.

Laura Mezquita,Manuel I Ibáñez,Generós Ortet,Adrian J Bravo,Angelina Pilatti,Eduardo Fonseca-Pedrero

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0247528

Abstract

The present research built on the Self-Reported Delinquency interview and the Antisocial Behavior Scale to develop an updated brief instrument to measure antisocial behavior. College students (n = 3188, 67.75% women) from the USA, Argentina, the Netherlands and Spain completed an online survey. Analyses that combined approaches from the Classical Test Theory and Item Response Theory were conducted to select the items for the brief version. Findings suggested that a 13-item Brief Antisocial Behavior Scale (B-ABS) fulfilled the high-quality criteria: salient factor loadings, adequate discrimination, variability in response endorsement, adequate fit based on infit/outfit values, nondifferent item functioning across the four participating countries, and Cronbach’s alpha and ordinal omega coefficients higher than .70. The B-ABS scores generally significantly correlated with personality scores, mental health and marijuana outcomes, showing criterion-related validity evidence. Our overall findings suggest that B-ABS adequately assesses antisocial behavior in young adults from different countries/cultures.

Highlights

Antisocial behavior is broadly defined as actions that violate societal norms and others’ personal or property rights [1]
The present study aimed to develop a brief version of the Antisocial Behavior Scale (ABS) (B-ABS) to assess antisocial behavior in two individualistic (USA and the Netherlands) and two collectivistic countries (Argentina and Spain)
When the antisocial behavior scores obtained in the Brief Antisocial Behavior Scale (B-ABS) were compared across countries, we found higher antisocial behavior in Argentina, followed by Spain, USA and the Netherlands

Summary

Introduction

Antisocial behavior is broadly defined as actions that violate societal norms and others’ personal or property rights [1]. Antisocial behavior begins in early adolescence and is related to higher risks of both criminal justice involvement and premature death [2, 3]. Antisocial behavior usually peaks in late adolescence or the beginning of adulthood showing a declining pattern after this life period [4]. Some youths will show a persistent pattern of antisocial behavior throughout their lifetime [5, 6]. In the USA, recent prevalence rates suggest that one in 4 US adults exhibit syndromal antisocial behavior, and antisocial syndromes are associated with other psychiatric disorders [e.g., bipolar I, posttraumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, and schizotypal personality disorders; 7].

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion