Antisocial behaviors at school: Analysis of normative and at-risk groups

Abstract

School plays a crucial role in adolescent development and in the prevention of antisocial behaviors. This study focuses on five common antisocial behaviors within the school environment. Analysis was conducted with various groups of adolescents aged 11–16, including a normative sample of Spanish adolescents, and two samples of adolescents from high psychosocial risk areas: Polígono Sur (Seville, Spain), and IV Municipalità (Naples, Italy). The normative sample consisted of a representative group of Spanish adolescents who responded to the 2014 HBSC questionnaire, whereas data from Polígono Sur and IV Municipalità were collected specifically from these populations. The prevalence of each antisocial behavior was analyzed according to reference group, age, sex, and two key school adjustment variables: feelings about school and perceived school pressure. Additional analysis explored how these variables and their interactions contribute to variations in antisocial behavior. The findings offer valuable insight for designing prevention and intervention programs aimed at addressing antisocial behaviors within the school context.