Pathways to Antisocial Behavior among Adolescent Girls

This study explores possible antisocial pathways and risk factors for antisocial participation among adolescent girls. Participants were 763 girls who responded to the longitudinal National Youth Survey during the years 1977 to 1981. Results indicated continuity over time in girls' participation in the antisocial constructs disruptive acts, vandalism, and fighting but not in the constructs drinking, stealing, and school troubles. Results also showed a relationship between several cross-pathway constructs over time, indicating the diversity of antisocial paths followed by girls in adolescence. Family, school, peer, and individual risk factors were also related to antisocial participation during 2 years in adolescence.