Sociopathy (Anti-social personality disorder) and family relationship: An application on Selçuk University students

Antisocial personality disorder is a social-psychological personality disorder that is increasingly prevalent both in our country and in other societies. Individuals with this disorder exhibit symptoms such as a lack of conscience, violence, a lack of empathy, problems with authority, lying, and vandalism. Consequently, antisocial personality disorder can undermine social harmony by violating socially accepted norms, behaviours, and values, and can lead to crime and deviant behaviour. There are theoretical and applied studies suggesting that antisocial personality disorder arises from social interaction, in addition to its psychological underpinnings. In this context, the influence of parents and the social environment on individuals' sociopathic behaviour tendencies is relevant. This research aims to determine sociopathic behaviour tendencies among Selçuk University students and to identify whether these tendencies originate from the family. Within the scope of the study, hypotheses have been formulated to examine the relationship between students' sociopathic behaviour tendencies and their families. The theoretical basis of the thesis is grounded in sociological and criminological theories that discuss the formation of crime and deviant behaviour and their effects on society. Furthermore, the 'Social Learning and Behaviour Theory,' developed within the framework of Gabriel Tarde's 'Imitation' theory, which proposes that individuals learn crime and deviant behaviour by observing and imitating their environment during the socialisation process, has been adopted as the leading theory. In the study, a 12-item Parenting Attitude Scale (PAS) was developed to measure parental attitudes, and a 16-item Sociopathic Behaviour Tendency Scale (SBD) was designed to measure individuals' tendencies towards sociopathic behaviour. A field study was conducted with the participation of 728 students to determine the parental attitudes, rule violations, exposure to violence in the family and close environment, and sociopathic behaviour tendencies of Selçuk University students. The findings of the study reveal various familial and environmental factors that influence students' sociopathic behaviour tendencies. Inconsistent, permissive, and protective parental attitudes were found to be associated with sociopathic tendencies. Furthermore, the presence of violence within the family, a history of mental illness, alcohol and substance use, and individuals who have committed crimes were found to increase the likelihood of students exhibiting sociopathic behaviour. While there is no significant relationship between the level of communication within the family and these behaviours, communication with relatives is linked to sociopathic tendencies. Furthermore, it has been concluded that students who receive disciplinary punishment during their education, those who do not follow rules in public spaces, and situations where family members break rules also reinforce sociopathic behaviour tendencies.