A Path Analysis Model on the Relationship Between Victimization, Cognitive Distortions and Antisocial Behaviors in...

Childhood victimization is a risk factor for the psychosocial adjustment of adolescents. These experiences may be influencing the perception of the environment, increasing the likelihood of cognitive distortions that help in the justification of antisocial behavior and its further engagement. The main aim of the study is to analyze the association between direct and indirect child victimization and the engagement of antisocial behaviors, by exploring the influence of self-serving cognitive distortions.

The sample comprised 304 Spanish adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years (54.4% females) recruited from the general population. Pearson's correlation was implemented to explore the associations between the involved variables. A series of Confirmatory Factor Analyses following a two-step approach for Structural Equation Modeling were performed.

A significant and positive total effect were found in the relationship between victimization and antisocial behaviors. Direct and indirect victimization were also indirectly related to antisocial behaviors through the indirect effect of cognitive distortions.

The results show possible differences in the influence of indirect versus direct victimization on psychosocial adjustment, but further analysis and research on this type of victimization is needed.