Antisocial Behavior: Definition, Examples, & Impacts

What Is Antisocial Behavior?

Antisocial behavior can be covert or overt. Often, covert antisocial behavior involves visible displays of intentional harm such as vandalism, fire-setting, breaking into buildings, and theft. Overt antisocial behaviors are obvious and aggressive, like verbal abuse, bullying peers, and fighting. Covert or overt behaviors also include drug and alcohol abuse as well as other high-risk antisocial tendencies.¹

Those committing these actions generally lack consideration for others and their experience. Antisocial behaviors often violate the rights of others and potentially put them and others at risk. People who exhibit antisocial tendencies often have no remorse for their wrongdoings, making it a challenge to hold them accountable. This can be seen in a variety of mental health disorders, so it’s important to understand other symptoms that may be at play.²

Antisocial Vs. Asocial Behavior

Antisocial and asocial behaviors may sound similar, but there are distinct differences. Those with antisocial behaviors may engage in impulsive and cruel behaviors towards others and disregard their emotions. Antisocial behaviors feel very manipulating.

Asocial behaviors are rooted in anxiety and can manifest as social anxiety. Those with asocial behavior may appear nervous in social situations, tend to stay withdrawn, and may struggle to recognize social cues.

Types of Antisocial Behavior

Antisocial behaviors can vary based on the type and the impact of these behaviors on others.

There are three classifications of antisocial behaviors:

1. Personal antisocial behavior: When someone is directing negative attention and targeting a specific individual.
2. Nuisance antisocial behavior: When someone is directing negative attention and causing issues for a specific community.
3. Environment antisocial behavior: When someone is harming a public place or creating negativity in a shared space.

Common Antisocial Behavior Examples

Antisocial behaviors are common from time to time; however, if left unaddressed, those tendencies can develop into larger mental health issues. In children, common antisocial behavior involves isolation or bullying of others, but children under the age of 18 cannot receive a diagnosis until adulthood.

Antisocial Behaviors In Children

Antisocial behaviors in children can begin as early as age 4-5 years of age and can include being destructive in school, foul play with other children, hitting, biting, name-calling and intentionally making other children cry. This can overlap with sociopathy in childhood, however it is important to pay attention to all behaviors of the children to discern the differences between antisocial behaviors and sociopathy behaviors.

Antisocial behaviors in children include:³

• Aggression towards classmates: Pushing or shoving their classmates, talking down to them or yelling at them.
• Name-calling: Making fun of other children and calling them hurtful names.
• Bullying: Making fun of other children and acting with a sense of superiority.
• Theft or other criminal activity: Stealing from the school, from other children or stores, setting fires, trespassing.
• Breaking other children’s belongings: Intentionally going out of their way to ruin other children’s possessions.
• Lying to teachers and parents: Making up situations and blaming others and hoping to get away with the false narrative they are creating.
• Vandalism: Spray painting walls or writing or painting on buildings, cars, and other public places.
• Skipping school: Leaving school early without a parent or teacher’s permission or foregoing school and leaving from the bus stop.
• Getting in fights: Physically fighting with other children and initiating these fights.
• Running away from home: Leaving home without telling anyone they are leaving, where they are going, and when they will be back.
• Self-harm behaviors: Burning themselves, cutting themselves, pinching their skin, and inflicting other harm on their body.

Antisocial Behaviors In Adults

Antisocial behavior in adults can look like more intense versions of the behaviors in children and often leave these adults in trouble with the law, facing criminal charges or finding themselves in jail.

Antisocial behavior in adults may include:⁴

• Aggression to others: Aggressive driving, yelling or intimidation towards others.
• Abuse toward others: Physical, mental, sexual and emotional abuse.
• Bullying or targeting specific individuals: Harassing someone at work or at home.
• Arson and intentional fire-setting: Setting fires to intentionally destroy property.
• Drug and/or alcohol abuse: Dependence on drugs and alcohol and worsening behaviors while using.
• Racism or sexism: Hate towards people of different races and sexual identities.
• Indecent exposure: Exposing private areas intentionally.
• Extreme road rage: Driving aggressively and violently.
• Threatening violence: Attempts or intimidation tactics to harm you.
• Destroying public property: Vandalizing or breaking community spaces.
• Criminal behaviors: Any type of crime or attempt to test the limits of the law.
• Purposeful trespassing: Intentionally trespassing on private property or areas which you are not allowed to enter.

Disorders Related to Antisocial Behavior

Antisocial behaviors are linked to specific mental health disorders such as antisocial personality disorder, mood disorders, and other personality disorders. Children with a history of conduct disorder are also higher at risk for developing antisocial personality or other personality disorders and mood disorders.

Mental health disorders that may result in antisocial behaviors include:

• Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD): A personality disorder marked by impulsivity, harmful and dangerous behaviors.
• Conduct disorder: Behaviors which show a lack of care for others as well as poor emotional regulation.
• Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD): A behavioral disorder in which children ignore authority and rules and face them with anger and hostile behaviors.
• Substance misuse: Dependence on substances to cope and manage negative feelings or situations.
• Bipolar disorder: A mood disorder characterized by severe mood swings between mania and depression.
• Narcissistic personality disorder: A personality disorder marked by a sense of superiority, entitlement and a lack of empathy.

What Causes Antisocial Behavior?

There isn’t one specific cause for antisocial behavior. It could be influenced by genetics, home environment, or having a parent with a mental illness.

Growing Up in a Dysfunctional Family

Dysfunctional families are often a big part of why some people develop antisocial behaviors. The dysfunction develops due to relationship patterns that use fear or coercion to get things done. Children in this environment develop poor emotional regulation, impacting their cognition. Kids can also learn these behaviors from school or exposure to community violence.

Genetics

Genetic factors, including environment while in utero, can also play a role. Maternal drug use and other trauma endured while in utero can also lead to a higher likelihood of developing these behaviors. It’s believed that some people are predisposed to antisocial behaviors due to the large impact of genetics on the structure of the brain.⁵

Parents With Mental Illness

If one or both parents has a history of antisocial behavior there’s a higher chance that the child will develop it as well. If parents have mental health issues, children have a higher risk of experiencing them as well. Parent drug/alcohol misuse, instability in the home, child abuse, and parental inconsistencies are additional risk factors.⁶

Impacts of Antisocial Behavior

Antisocial behavior is difficult for everyone involved. Those exhibiting these behaviors tend to have a hard time keeping relationships and wind up feeling isolated and alone, which can further their drive to be destructive. Those on the receiving end of the antisocial behaviors are also impacted negatively: they may develop anxiety or PTSD for prolonged exposure to these behaviors, or develop feelings of depression if the behaviors are never discussed, repaired, and corrected moving forward.

Impacts of antisocial behavior for the antisocial person include:

• Substance misuse
• Depression
• Desensitization to violence or malice
• Incarceration
• Injuring or killing someone
• Relationship problems
• Poor work or academic performance
• Premature death

Impacts of antisocial behavior on others include:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Low self-esteem and self-worth
• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Self-harm behaviors
• Increased risk for suicide
• Physical injuries
• Damaged property
• Social isolation
• Avoidance behaviors

How to Respond to Antisocial Behavior

Appropriate or useful responses to antisocial behavior vary based on the unique situation. For instance, you may respond differently to a child displaying antisocial behavior than you would to an adult, or if you were the victim or target of such behaviors.

Children With Antisocial Behavior

Children with antisocial behavior may not respond to the same type of approach as children who do not exhibit these behaviors. Children with antisocial behavior are in some type of pain or distress which is at least in part why they are exhibiting these behaviors.

Here are several tips for responding to antisocial behavior in children:

• Seek immediate treatment: Take your child to see a child psychologist or psychiatrist immediately.
• Alert teachers and/or authority figures: Inform the school of the plan for the child and ways the school and teachers can support the child in class.
• Monitor their actions and whereabouts: Help create structure for the child so routine gives them something to look forward to and keeps their environment predictable.
• Discuss the impacts of their behavior with them: Talk to your child about their behaviors and find age appropriate ways to communicate.
• Remain patient and calm: Try to be as calm as you can as the child will feed off of your energy if you get frustrated.
• Try to empathize with them: Children with these behaviors are still children and deserve empathy, and empathy can be very healing and help the child feel seen.
• Determine necessary discipline: Consider all the variables and what an appropriate consequence should be. Working with a family therapist or parent coach can be a good way to learn how to manage these behaviors and set fair and consistent ground rules.
• Consider therapy for yourself: Having support for yourself is important, as it can be challenging to raise a child with these behaviors.

Adults With Antisocial Behavior

Being the victim of antisocial behavior can be traumatizing and frightening. Establishing boundaries and expectations of how you will be treated is important. Many with antisocial behaviors are not aware of their impact on others so making it clear that these behaviors are not acceptable is a good first step.

Below are tips for responding to antisocial behavior in adults:

• Encourage them to seek treatment: Encourage them to talk to a therapist and offer to help them find one or take them to appointments.
• Maintain distance when possible: Have firm boundaries if you feel unsure of how they are going to behave.
• Alert relevant authorities when necessary: Do not enable the individual and make sure you and the community are safe. Alert authorities if you feel they are a threat to themselves or someone else.
• Know when to end the relationship: If you are continuously feeling hurt and absorbing the pain, it is important to learn when it is time to walk away.
• Engage in individual therapy: Go to therapy for yourself to find ways to cope and a way to maintain healthy boundaries.
• Join a support group: Support groups can give you validation and community in what you are dealing with.
• Do not enable the behavior: Do not make excuses for the behaviors or allow things to slide as it will only hurt the both of you in the long run.

If behaviors continue and you feel harassed, get others involved to ensure that you are safe, such as local authorities. If you’re the victim of antisocial behavior or feel that you’re in danger, call the domestic abuse hotline at 1-800-799-7233. Remember, you deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.⁸

How Are Antisocial Behaviors Treated?

Addressing antisocial behavior and getting treatment for antisocial personality disorder will be a highly individualized process. Note that treating antisocial behaviors alone can be challenging as many are resistant to professional treatment.

Therapy in general is a great way to modify behaviors and learn consequences by showing and discussing the outcomes of behaviors. It’s important to discuss this with your care team and loved ones and begin searching for a therapist. Finding a therapist through an online therapist directory is a great place to start.⁹

Treatments for antisocial behavior may include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT helps to challenge thought patterns to learn how to respond differently to the thoughts.
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT): DBT focuses on accepting their thoughts and finding a way to regulate their own emotions to tolerate the distressing feelings.
• Family therapy: In family therapy, everyone in the family has a chance to share their piece equally with the goal of greater family cohesion.
• Group therapy: Group therapy gives people a chance to be around others with these behaviors to learn from them and also reduce the stigma they may have internalized.
• Medications: Medications can be helpful for mood stabilization and help to treat other underlying or co-occurring mental health issues.

Final Thoughts

Antisocial behavior is dangerous, so if you or someone you know is struggling, reach out for help. Changing antisocial behaviors, while challenging, is possible, and talking to a therapist can make a positive difference in how you feel.