New study links antisocial behavior in teens to increased substance use by age 17

A longitudinal study of adolescents in Sweden found that individuals prone to antisocial behavior at age 15 were more likely to use drugs or alcohol by age 17. In contrast, those who exhibited more prosocial behaviors were less likely to develop these habits. The findings were published in Addictive Behaviors Addictive Behaviors.

Antisocial behaviors are actions that violate societal norms and can negatively impact others or society as a whole. These behaviors range from relatively minor acts, such as lying and cheating, to more serious offenses like theft, violence, and other criminal activities. Antisocial behaviors are generally viewed as disruptive and harmful, often resulting in social and legal consequences for the individual.

Prosocial behaviors, on the other hand, include actions intended to benefit others—such as helping, sharing, donating, volunteering, and cooperating. These behaviors are typically motivated by empathy, concern for others, and a desire to contribute positively to society. Because of their role in promoting social cohesion and harmony, prosocial behaviors are widely encouraged.

Study author Simon Jangard and his colleagues aimed to investigate the relationship between substance use—specifically alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs—and both antisocial and prosocial behaviors. They focused on two types of antisocial behavior: conduct problems and criminal behavior. For prosocial behavior, they examined three categories: global prosociality, general trust, and institutional trust.

Conduct problems refer to behavioral issues marked by aggression or antisocial tendencies that violate societal norms and negatively affect both the individual and those around them. Global prosociality reflects a person’s overall tendency to behave in ways that benefit others across various situations. General trust captures a person’s general belief in the reliability and goodwill of others. Institutional trust refers to the confidence individuals have in societal institutions such as the government, legal system, media, and educational systems.

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The researchers analyzed data from Futura01, a nationwide longitudinal study that tracked 3,817 Swedish adolescents over two years—from age 15 to 17. The first wave of data collection occurred in 2017, when participants were in 9th grade, and involved a paper-and-pencil questionnaire completed during school hours. The second wave was conducted in 2019 via a postal or online survey.

The initial questionnaire assessed conduct problems (e.g., “I am often accused of lying or cheating,” “I get very angry and often lose my temper”), criminal behavior (e.g., how many times in the past 12 months they engaged in behaviors such as shoplifting, vandalism, or carrying a weapon), global prosocial behavior (e.g., “I try to be nice to other people; I care about their feelings”), general trust (e.g., “You can trust most people,” “Most people are honest”), and institutional trust (e.g., how much the participant trusts the justice system, teachers, news, and government).

The follow-up survey assessed participants’ use of alcohol, symptoms of alcohol use disorder, cigarette use, and illicit drug use.

Results showed that participants who reported higher levels of antisocial behavior at age 15 were more likely to report using alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes at age 17. They were also more likely to exhibit symptoms of alcohol use disorder.

Adolescents with higher levels of global prosociality at age 15 were less likely to report symptoms of alcohol use disorder or to use cigarettes and illicit drugs at age 17. However, global prosociality was not associated with the likelihood of alcohol use or hazardous drinking. Participants with higher levels of general and institutional trust were less likely to use alcohol and cigarettes. Those with greater institutional trust at age 15 were also less likely to use illicit drugs or snus (a type of moist powdered tobacco commonly used in Sweden) at age 17.

“The study demonstrates that social behavioral subtypes of conduct problems, criminal behavior, and deficits in institutional trust are of unique importance in predicting later substance use, including clinical outcomes of hazardous alcohol use and AUD [alcohol use disorder],” the study authors concluded.

The study sheds light on the links between behavior and substance use. However, it should be noted that the study completely relied on self-reports leaving room for reporting bias to affect the results.

The paper, “Antisocial and prosocial behaviors as predictors of subsequent substance use in adolescence,” was authored by Simon Jangard, Andreas Olsson, Yasmina Molero, Nitya Jayaram-Lindström, and Jonas Raninen.