Subtypes of self-esteem and self-concept in adolescent violent and property offenders.

Abstract

To investigate the relationship between subtypes of self-esteem/self-concept (familial, academic, social, and personal security) and antisocial behavior in adolescents (violent and property offending). A self-report survey was administered in a representative group of 1466 students aged 12 to 18. Both low family acceptance and low academic competence were found to predict property and violent offending, while high peer popularity was found to predict mainly violent offending. The finding that subtypes of self-esteem/self-concept present differently in antisocial adolescents may have clinical and scientific consequences, and such differentiation should be considered in future research. It should also be investigated whether this finding has therapeutic consequences.