Development of a psychosocial explanation of antisocial and delinquent behavior to guide prevention efforts has recently gained attention. This study considered several types of social stressors and compared their effects on levels of antisocial and delinquent behavior. Male and female adolescents (N=84) were surveyed for socioeconomic status, family systemic functioning, and four types of social stress (Induced Transitions, Daily Hassles, Developmental Transitions, and Circumscribed Life Events) in relation to level of antisocial and delinquent behavior to determine the individual and cumulative effect of these psychosocial predictors. Univariate analyses indicated that perceived and desired family cohesion and Daily Hassles, Circumscribed Life Events, and Developmental Transitions correlated significantly with reported delinquent behavior. Multivariate analyses indicated that socioeconomic status was of little use in understanding such behavior, at least among the general population, and that family cohesion and two types of stress, Developmental Transitions and Daily Hassles were the most useful indicators. These findings suggest that the ability of family members to support one another and to harness that support to solve daily problems is important in decreasing delinquency risk. Also, skill development, such as social skills training, may be indicated in order to improve ability to cope with daily hassles. (KS)