Exposición a violencia comunitaria y comportamientos antisociales: lo que nos dicen adolescentes de establecimientos educacionales vulnerables en Chile y Brasil

The study examines the association between exposure to community violence (EVC) and self-reported antisocial behaviors (CAT), among adolescents attending highly vulnerable educational institutions in Chile and Brazil. A binational sample comprising 2,214 participants (51 % male, 49 % female), who responded two instruments, EEVC and CACSA. Employing an explanatory design with observable variables (DVO), the analysis assessed the relationship between EVC and CAT considering variations by gender and age across both countries. Results indicated higher levels of reported EVC in Brazil (p < .001), whereas Chilean participants exhibited greater levels of CAT (p < .001). Although these inter-country differences were systematic and statistically significant, effect sizes were minimal, suggesting comparable social contexts in both settings. Furthermore, gender moderated the impact of ECV on antisocial behavior, with a stronger association observed among male adolescents. These findings are consistent with international literature, yet they also reveal heightened levels of severity within the studied populations.