Protective and risk factors of antisocial behaviors: From self-control to psychopathy

The present study examined the contribution of Dark Triad personality traits (Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy) to antisocial behaviors, considering the mediating roles of risk (low self-control, aggression, and excitement value) and protective (religiosity, maternal responsiveness, and normative value) factors. Participants were 401 Brazilian undergraduate students who completed measures of antisocial behaviors, personality traits, self-control, human values, and maternal responsiveness, in addition to demographic questions. Results revealed that antisocial behaviors were positively associated with all Dark Triad traits and risk factors, and negatively associated with protective factors. The best correlates of antisocial behaviors were low self-control, aggression, excitement value, and normative value. The mediation model indicated indirect associations between Dark Triad traits and antisocial behaviors through risk and protective factors, in a pattern consistent with a mediation framework rather than implying causality. The present findings suggest that antisocial behaviors have a multifactorial nature, best understood through the interaction between dispositional traits and contextual factors. We discuss these findings and their implications for future interventions.