Gender Differences in Links between Antisocial Features and Forms and Functions of Aggression Among At-Risk Youth

Adolescents with antisocial traits are more likely to commit violence and experience negative outcomes later in life. There is evidence for gender differences in the manifestations of antisocial personality features and functions of aggression, but little research has sought to assess unique gender differences that may help unravel the sequelae of antisocial traits in youth. Accordingly, this study examines gender differences in associations between the Personality Assessment Inventory Adolescent (PAI-A) Antisocial scale and its subscales – Egocentricity, Antisocial Behaviors, and Stimulus-Seeking -- and forms and functions of aggression in a sample of at-risk youth. Four hundred and sixty-four adolescents (M age = 16.75 years, 84.9% boys) participating in a military-style bootcamp for at-risk 16- to 18- year-olds self-reported information about personality and aggression. Results revealed boys reported more antisocial features and overt, but not relational, aggression than girls. Antisocial features were linked to all aggression constructs across gender, with stronger links emerging between antisocial features and relational aggression among girls compared to boys. Gender differences also emerged in associations between specific antisocial features and aggression; egocentricity was uniquely linked to all aggression constructs only among girls, and some evidence suggests a unique link between sensation seeking and overt aggression among boys. These findings indicate specific antisocial features may be differentially linked to aggression in at-risk girls and boys, supporting a growing body of literature suggesting gender specific pathways to aggression which may be useful for identifying opportunities to disrupt negative outcomes in these youth.