Criminal Antisocial behavior in Mexican adolescents in conflict with the law

Antisocial-delinquent behavior refers to antisocial acts that break or transgress the law, i.e., the typification established by the penal codes at any given moment and that receive some type of sanction. These acts serve as high predictors of individual and social psychological adjustment problems, including delinquent behavior during adulthood. In Mexico, the need arises to evaluate the adolescent population in conflict with the law in order to improve the treatment of juvenile delinquents. Method. Sample of 52 male adolescents aged 14 to 18 years, with schooling from 5 to 11 years; 26 from a social reinsertion center and 26 controls. The Antisocial-Delinquent Behavior Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory-II and Beck Anxiety Inventory were applied. Results. The social reintegration center group reported more delinquent behaviors and the control group more non-delinquent antisocial behaviors. Medium-high and high levels of antisocial criminal behavior were identified. There were significant differences in depression. Both groups presented minimal levels of anxiety. Levels of depression and anxiety were correlated with the levels of those who presented medium-high and high antisocial criminal behavior, finding a medium positive correlation for depression and low positive for anxiety. Conclusions: Delinquent behaviors were more reported in the group from the social reintegration center, which also presented mild level of depression and anxiety. It was slightly seen that, the higher the level of antisocial criminal behavior, the higher the level of depression and anxiety.