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Callous-Unemotional (CU) traits identify children at high risk of antisocial behavior. A recent theoretical model proposed that CU traits arise from low sensitivity to threat and affiliation. To assess these dimensions, we developed the parent- and self-reported Sensitivity to Threat and Affiliative Reward Scale (STARS) and tested its psychometric properties, factor structure, and construct validity. Samples 1 (N = 3 03; age 3–10; United States) and 2 (N = 854 age 5–9; Spain) were children and Sample 3 was 514 young adults (M age = 19.89; United States). In Sample 1, differential item functioning and item response theory techniques were used to identify the best-performing items from a 64-item pool, resulting in 28 items that functioned equivalently across age and gender. Factor analysis indicated acceptable fit for the theorized two-factor structure with separate threat and affiliation factors in all three samples, which showed predictive validity in relation to CU traits in children and psychopathic traits in young adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When testing longitudinal effects of parenting practices on adolescent adjustment, an integrated consideration of externalizing and internalizing behaviors is a gap in research. This study analyzed how parental support and parental knowledge directly and indirectly influence both antisocial behavior and emotional problems. The sample had 642 adolescents aged 12-15 (mean age = 12.49; 45.4% females) from Spain, who participated in a three-year long study. The results showed longitudinal bidirectional associations between parental support and parental knowledge. Only parental knowledge, however, directly predicted antisocial behavior and emotional problems. Parental support had an indirect effect on outcomes through the mediating effect of parental knowledge. This study has practical implications by indicating that increasing parental knowledge should be the target of educational-prevention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescents who are placed in Residential Care (RC) show an increased risk of antisocial behavior. From a restorative perspective, it has been proposed that interventions carried out in RC might significantly reduce the probability of negative consequences in adolescents, provided that they are adapted to the specific needs of this population. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to identify different subgroups of adolescents placed in RC on the basis of different dynamic factors and analyze their relation with antisocial behavior and family violence. For that purpose, the sample was composed of 145 adolescents aged 11 to 19 (M = 14.80; SD = 1.80), 59.3% males, from 19 out-of home centers in Galicia (NW Spain). Information was collected through the Juvenile Offender's Risk Assessment (VRAI) protocol. Results show three specific risk profiles that were identified on the basis of different dynamic factors: a low-risk, a middle-risk, and a high-risk profile. The high-risk group revealed the highest scores on different types of antisocial behavior whereas the low-risk group evidenced the opposite pattern of risk, with relationships with antisocial behavior being the weakest. These findings have theoretical and practical implications for the Child Welfare System and contribute to the development of specific intervention strategies in RC. • Three profiles of adolescents in RC were identified on the basis of dynamic factors. • The high-risk subgroup evidenced the strongest relation with antisocial behavior. • No significant differences between subgroups were found on family violence. • These results contribute to the development of specific intervention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substantial evidence has shown the strong effects of being affiliated with deviant peers on adolescent's antisocial behaviour. However, any measure has been consistently used in this field to evaluate that influence. Therefore, the main objective of the current study was to validate a measure to assess the presence of antisocial behaviour in peer groups within the Spanish context. The final sample was composed of 1148 adolescents from secondary schools in Galicia (NW Spain), aged 12 to 18 (M = 13.28; SD = 1.27), 51.9% males. The exploratory analyses indicated the existence of two factors in the structure of the scale: a factor related to antisocial behaviour and another factor specifically related to drugs. Overall, the results confirmed the adequate internal consistency, construct validity, and criterion validity of the scale. Therefore, this study proposes the Deviant Peers Scale as a useful instrument for Spanish-speaking contexts aimed to evaluate the influence of deviant affiliations on adolescent problematic behaviour. Theoretical and practical implications of these contributions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has suggested that warm and supportive relationships are indispensable to facilitate parent-child communication which, in turn, enables parental knowledge. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyse the direct and indirect effects of parental support and parental knowledge on juvenile antisocial behaviours (i.e., substance abuse, nonviolent antisocial behaviour, and violent behaviour) taking into account gender differences. The sample was composed of 876 Spanish young people: 584 from the community aged 14 to 19, 46.9 % males, and 292 from juvenile centres aged 14 to 22, 91.1 % males. Several scales from the protocol of Valoración del Riesgo en Adolescentes Infractores [Juvenile Offender's Risk Assessment] were used to measure the variables. Results of structural equation modelling indicate that parental knowledge is significantly and negatively related to the antisocial behaviours in both community and institutionalized subsamples both in males and females. On the other hand, although the parental support appears to show positive or not significant direct effects on antisocial behaviours, results indicate the existence of significant and strong mediation effects through parental knowledge. Thus, parental support is significantly and negatively related to all antisocial behaviours, in both subsamples and in both gender, only through the increasing of parental knowledge. These findings seem to suggest that high levels of parental support may only be effective to reduce juvenile antisocial behaviours through increasing levels of parental knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research of the indirect effects of neighbourhood risk through psychopathic personality traits (i.e., impulsiveness, narcissism and callous-unemotional traits) on juvenile antisocial behaviour has become relevant. Methods: In the current study, mediation effects were assessed using a sample composed of 406 young people between I4 and 21 years old, 82.7% males, from juvenile centres in Galicia and Andalucía (Spain). Results: The results showed significant mediation effects of neighbourhood risk on antisocial behaviour through impulsiveness and callous-unemotional traits. Conclusions: The implications of the mediation effects for prevention, risk assessment, and risk management in juvenile offenders are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]