Impulsivity traits as correlates of antisocial behaviour in adolescents

Abstract

Impulsivity has been linked to several risky behaviours, however, the multifaceted conceptualization of the construct has hardly been studied regarding adolescent antisocial behaviour. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyse the influence of impulsivity facets assessed by the UPPS-P scale on different types of antisocial behaviours (i.e. aggression, rule-breaking behaviour, theft, and vandalism), and whether sex moderated those relationships. The sample was composed of 575 Spanish adolescents aged 14 to 18. Four hierarchical multiple regression models were carried out, one for each antisocial behaviour. Results show that positive urgency and sensation seeking were related to all behaviours above and beyond prediction from the other facets. Lack of premeditation only predicted aggression whereas lack of perseverance predicted all nonviolent behaviours. After taking into account all the impulsivity facets, negative urgency was no longer related to antisocial behaviours. Males displayed higher levels of sensation seeking and sex moderated a quarter of the associations between impulsivity facets and antisocial behaviour. Results support the multidimensional conceptualization of impulsivity and reveal differential effects on diverse typologies of antisocial behaviour