Proximal risk factors mediating the effect of distal factors on adolescent antisocial behaviour

Abstract Background Antisocial behaviour is a result of a multifactorial process that involve social and individual risk factors. Only few studies explored the mechanisms explaining the effects of social factors on antisocial behaviour through proximal factors. To extend previous findings, this study aims to investigate the complex relationship between distal and proximal factors, identifying proximal factors mediating the relationship between social factors and antisocial behaviour among 12-14 years old Italian adolescents. Methods The analytical sample included 1847 school students of Piedmont Region and city of Rome who participated in the baseline survey of the experimental controlled trial “GAPUnplugged”. The data was collected between November 2022 and January 2023. The associations of sociodemographic characteristics, distal factors and proximal factors with the probability of adolescent's antisocial behaviour were estimated through multilevel mixed-effect models. Mediation analysis was conducted to test the mediating effect of proximal factors on the relationship between distal factors and adolescent's antisocial behaviour. Results The prevalence of lifetime antisocial behaviour was 61.2%. Among distal factors, parental permissiveness to use substances, low parental support, low class climate, perceptions of peer's cigarette, alcohol and illicit drug use were associated with higher probability of antisocial behaviour. Low school performance, low pupil's respect for teacher, impulsiveness and sensation-seeking were significant mediators of the trajectories of most distal factors on antisocial behaviours. Conclusions Both distal and proximal factors help to understand trajectories of antisocial behaviours in adolescence. All these factors should be considered in prevention interventions aimed at reducing or preventing antisocial behaviour among early adolescents. Key messages • Both distal and proximal risk factors are associated with the risk of engaging in antisocial behaviours during adolescence. • The alarmingly high prevalence of antisocial behaviour among early adolescents requires immediate actions for implementing targeted and effective prevention programs prior the onset of behaviour.