Factores de riesgo de conducta antisocial en jóvenes institucionalizados y escolares

Resumo

Risk assessment tools contribute to the prediction of antisocial behaviour through the assessment of different risk factors related to individual and its environment. Likewise, the adaptation of these instruments to the specific needs of youths determines the effectiveness of risk management. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the risk factors for antisocial behaviour in different samples of institutionalized and community youths. The sample was composed of male adolescents in the Juvenile Justice system coming from the autonomous community of Galicia and Andalucía (Spain) (N= 266), as well as youths in residential care centres of the Child Welfare System (N= 90) and high schools in Galicia (N= 274), aged 12 to 21 (M = 16.39; SD = 1.70). Data collection was carried out by the Juvenile Offender’s Risk Assessment (VRAI), which assess different history, psicosocial, and individual risk factors. Results showed differences on risk levels of the factors regarding the three samples. The only factor that was significantly associated with antisocial behaviour in the three samples was the antisocial peer affiliation. These findings have practical implications in the field of juvenile antisocial behaviour prevention.