(PS2-42) Social Anxiety and Antisocial Behavior in Adults: The Role of the Behavioral Activation System and Insight

Socially anxious individuals are often described as inhibited, and they might also come across as timid, risk-averse, and submissive. Comorbidity studies have found that 3.2% to 6.5% of individuals diagnosed with social anxiety disorder also meet criteria for antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). Given that ASPD is characterized by disinhibition and antagonism, it is unclear how these two constructs are related. Literature suggests that there is a subgroup of those with social anxiety who are also impulsive and take an approach response (e.g., aggressive) to their environment. Literature also points to low levels of insight being associated with increased antisocial behaviors. It is possible the association between social anxiety and antisocial behaviors is moderated by an impulsive/approach response and the person’s level of insight. In this study, we examined whether these two variables moderate the association between social anxiety and antisocial behavior. Participants were 243 college students (Mage = 21.01, SD = 5.46, 82.3% female) who completed online measures including a brief demographic questionnaire, the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, the Behavioral Activation Scale (BAS; as a measure of impulsivity and reward sensitivity), the Self Reflection and Insight Scale, and the Subtypes of Antisocial Behavior Questionnaire. Hierarchical regressions yielded a significant three-way interaction between social anxiety, BAS, and insight predicting antisocial behavior, β = -0.002, SE = 0.001, p = .004, total R2 = .141, F(7, 235) = 5.513, p < .001. Graphs of this interaction indicated that for those with high levels of insight and low BAS there is a positive association between social anxiety and antisocial behaviors. However, for those with low levels of insight, the association between social anxiety and antisocial behavior varies depending on levels of BAS. Specifically, there is a negative association between social anxiety and antisocial behavior for individuals with low levels of insight and a low BAS and a positive association for those with low levels of insight and a highBAS. Results support the limited literature that suggests there are socially anxious individuals who also display aggressive and antisocial behavior. It is not clear why high insight is associated with a positive relation between social anxiety and antisocial behaviors; however, for those who are impulsive and highly motivated by reward, it might be beneficial to emphasize learning how to better understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This may ease their anxiety as well as teach them better reactive behaviors (e.g., become less aggressive towards others).