Antisocial behaviors in children and adolescents: A descriptive study

Abstract

Extensive scientific literature suggests that antisocial behaviours in and out of school increase in adolescence, even among students who showed mostly a socially desirable behaviour in childhood. Nevertheless, the number of studies that have provided a global vision of antisocial behaviours in different age groups of students is still low. Thus, the aim of the study was to describe antisocial behaviours in Andalusian children and adolescents. Data were collected through self-reports of 1,483 participants in primary and secondary education. Results showed that, compared to girls, boys showed high involvement in vandalism, violence, and substance use. Secondary education students were more involved in some antisocial behaviours (such as stealing, status offences and substance use) compared to primary school students, highlighting the 14 years of age as the beginning of the greatest involvement in these types of behaviours. The need to face these problem behaviours through preventive and educational processes and interventions, with special attention to the critical years, is discussed.