INFORMATION

Psicothema was founded in Asturias (northern Spain) in 1989, and is published jointly by the Psychology Faculty of the University of Oviedo and the Psychological Association of the Principality of Asturias (Colegio Oficial de Psicología del Principado de Asturias).
We currently publish four issues per year, which accounts for some 100 articles annually. We admit work from both the basic and applied research fields, and from all areas of Psychology, all manuscripts being anonymously reviewed prior to publication.

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  • Director: Laura E. Gómez Sánchez
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The effect of adverse childhood experiences on deviant and altruistic behavior during emerging adulthood

Aitana Gomis-Pomares and Lidón Villanueva

Universitat Jaume I Castellón

Background: The experience of coping with negative events in early ages (childhood and adolescence) has consistently been linked to some specific deviant behaviors, such as juvenile justice involvement or persistence in crime. In contrast, very few studies have focused on the link between  Adverse Childhood Experiences and altruistic behavior. The objective of this study is to examine the possible influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences on the social behavior exhibited in emerging adulthood (specifically deviant and altruistic behavior). Method: The study population consisted of 490 young adults between the ages of 18 and 20, with a mean of 18.90 years (SD = .77). All voluntarily completed the following self-report questionnaires: the Adverse Childhood Experiences questionnaire, the Deviant Behavior Scale, and the Altruistic Scale. Results: Linear regression models found that Adverse Childhood Experiences were strong, positive predictors of deviant behaviors. Moreover, specific Adverse Childhood Experiences (physical abuse for deviant behavior, and emotional neglect for altruistic behaviors) had notable, differential effects. Conclusions: The prevention or early detection of Adverse Childhood Experiences during childhood could contribute to reducing maladaptive patterns of behavior and to increasing altruistic patterns during emerging adulthood.

La influencia de las experiencias adversas infantiles sobre la conducta antisocial y altruista en la adultez emergente. Antecedentes: sufrir experiencias negativas durante la infancia se ha relacionado con comportamientos antisociales, como la implicación en la justicia juvenil o la persistencia en el crimen. Sin embargo, en comparación con la conducta antisocial, muy pocos estudios se han enfocado en la relación entre las Experiencias Adversas Infantiles y la conducta altruista. Por ello, el objetivo de este estudio es examinar la posible influencia de dichas experiencias en el comportamiento social manifestado durante la adultez emergente (conducta antisocial y altruista concretamente). Método: la muestra estaba formada por 490 jóvenes con edades comprendidas entre 18 y 20 años, con una media de 18.90 años (DT = .77). Todos completaron voluntariamente los siguientes cuestionarios de autoinforme: Adverse Childhood Experiences questionnaire, Deviant Behavior Scale y Altruistic Scale. Resultados: los modelos de regresión lineal mostraron que las Experiencias Adversas Infantiles eran fuertes predictoras de las conductas antisociales. Además, había experiencias adversas específicas (abuso físico para la conducta antisocial y negligencia emocional para las conductas altruistas) que produjeron un efecto diferencial y destacable. Conclusiones: la prevención o detección temprana de las Experiencias Adversas durante la Infancia podría contribuir a reducir los patrones de conducta inadaptados y a aumentar los patrones altruistas durante la adultez emergente.

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