Neighborhood and community factors: effects on deviant behavior and social competence

Span J Psychol. 2008 May;11(1):78-84. doi: 10.1017/s1138741600004133.

Abstract

Socialization in a neighborhood and community at risk, defined in terms of violence, social alienation, school failure, and disruptive behavior, is a risk factor for the acquisition of antisocial and delinquent behavior. In order to test this hypothesis and examine the underlying mechanisms involved, 346 participants, 155 high-risk and 191 low-risk, aged 11 to 13, that is, under the age of criminal responsibility as established by the Spanish Law 5/2000 were selected. The results reveal that high-risk youngsters had higher rates of antisocial behavior and lower levels of social skills (i.e., greater tendency to externalize attribution of responsibility, fewer conflict resolution strategies, lower self esteem, and a lower degrees of emotional intelligence) in comparison to the lower-risk group. Finally, the results and implications of the study are discussed in the light of designing prevention programs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adolescent
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder / diagnosis
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder / psychology*
  • Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / diagnosis
  • Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / psychology
  • Child
  • Emotions
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control
  • Juvenile Delinquency / psychology*
  • Male
  • Residence Characteristics*
  • Risk Factors
  • Self Concept
  • Social Alienation
  • Social Behavior
  • Social Responsibility
  • Socialization*
  • Underachievement
  • Violence / psychology