The family functioning as a predictor of antisocial and criminal behavior in students in northern mexico
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37354/rpsiso.2026.8.1.058Keywords:
family cohesion, family adaptability, antisocial behaviour, criminal behaviourAbstract
The objective of this research was to analyze whether family cohesion and family adaptability predict antisocial behavior, and if the latter in turn predicts criminal behavior in students of the Degree in Medical Surgeon from a private university in northern Mexico. A trajectory analysis model (Path Analysis) was used with family cohesion and adaptability as exogenous variables, and antisocial and criminal behavior as endogenous variables. The results indicate that family cohesion does not significantly predict antisocial behavior, whereas family adaptability does, showing a negative effect: higher levels of adaptability are associated with lower levels of antisocial behavior. Antisocial behavior also significantly and positively predicted criminal behavior. However, R2 values were low, suggesting that there are other factors not included in the model that could explain these behaviors. The complementary analyses showed no significant differences in the main variables according to sex, type of institution or residence condition. Overall, the findings highlight the relevance of family adaptability as a protective factor against antisocial behavior, although it is necessary to incorporate other variables to understand more fully anti-social and criminal behavior in young university students.
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