The Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Antisocial Behavior in Young Adulthood in Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract

Childhood trauma is a well-established risk factor for adverse psychological outcomes, yet its relationship with antisocial behavior remains underexplored in non-Western, collectivist contexts such as Pakistan. This study examined the association between childhood trauma and antisocial behavior among young individuals aged 16–25 years in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A cross-sectional, correlational design was employed. A convenience sample of 200 participants (78.5% female; mean age = 20.4 years, SD = 2.7) was recruited from the University of Peshawar and the general population. Participants completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire–Short Form (CTQ-SF; α = .84) and the Antisocial Behavior Scale for Adults (ABS-A; α = .86). Pearson product–moment correlation revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between childhood trauma and antisocial behavior, *r*(198) = .30, *p* < .01, indicating that higher levels of childhood trauma were associated with higher levels of antisocial tendencies (small-to-moderate effect). Moderation analyses using PROCESS Macro (Model 1) found that gender, age, and family structure did not significantly moderate this relationship (ps = .540, .644, and .427 respectively). The findings extend Attachment Theory, Social Learning Theory, and General Strain Theory to a South Asian conflict-affected context. The study contributes original empirical evidence from an under-researched region and underscores trauma-informed interventions in educational and community settings. Limitations include cross-sectional design, self-report measures, uneven gender distribution, and limited generalizability.