Continuities and Discontinuities in Antisocial Behavior from Childhood to Adult Life

Abstract

Discusses developmental continuities and discontinuities in antisocial behavior. The authors attempt to address several questions including (1) what are the early risks or intervening processes that contribute to the long-term persistence of antisocial problems in some individuals, but allow an apparently more benign course in others; (2) do the majority of antisocial children indeed recover before adulthood, or do they too face continuing vulnerabilities; and (3) can the varying developmental trajectories help us understand the underlying heterogeneity within the population of antisocial children, and so illuminate classifications of childhood disorders? Specific topics discussed include conceptual and methodological issues; heterogeneity; continuity and change; gender differences; assessments over more focused age spans; secular change; individual susceptibilities and their expression; and neuropsychological deficits; cognitive impairments; and school achievement. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2004 APA, all rights reserved)