Antisocial Behavior and Antisocial Personality Disorder Among Youth in Ethnic Minority Areas in China: A Cross-sectional Study.

Abstract

Objective: Antisocial behavior and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) cause serious harm to society and families. Ethnicity may have an impact on an individual's antisocial behavior and the incidence of ASPD. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the current status of antisocial behavior and ASPD among youth and its correlation with ethnicity in ethnic minority areas in China.

Methods: A total of 2475 Chinese youth (1794 under 18 and 681 greater than or equal to 18) were recruited from December 1 to 30, 2021, in Yunnan, China. All participants completed a General Information Questionnaire and the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire Fourth Edition Plus (PDQ-4+). Associations between antisocial behavior and ASPD and sociodemographic factors such as ethnicity were examined using binary logistic regression analysis.

Results: The positive rate of antisocial behavior screening in youth was 5.4% (95% CI (confidence interval): 4.3-6.4), with a positive rate of ASPD screening of 4.4% (95% CI: 2.9-6.0). Male, single-child and maternal education level at senior high school and above were risk factors for positive antisocial behavior screening, while senior high school grade and medium subjective family economic status were protective factors for positive antisocial behavior screening. Being male and paternal educational background were risk factors for positive ASPD screening.

Conclusion: This study found high rates of positive screening for antisocial behavior and ASPD in youth and no significant differences in ethnicity. These results can be used to inform personality development.