Purpose To identify factors that protected children with high externalizing problems at age 11–12 from fighting six to eight years later. Methods Regression models were used to identify risk-based and interactive protective factors against fighting at ages 17–18 and 19–20, among approximately 1100 Australian Temperament Project participants. To determine whether protective factors were developmentally-sensitive, analyses were repeated at four time points spanning ages 11 to 20. Results A number of protective factors were identified, however, few remained significant after controlling for other protective factors and demographic variables. Among high-risk youth, high self-control was consistently associated with lower levels of fighting at 19–20 (and to a lesser extent, 17–18). Positive relationships with teachers in early adolescence also emerged as a risk-based protective factor against fighting (at 19–20). Additionally, both factors appeared to moderate the influence of childhood behavior problems on subsequent fighting, exhibiting protective-enhancing effects. High responsibility and supportive peer relationships in late childhood were also found to be significant risk modifiers, with responsibility having a protective-enhancing effect against fighting, and peer relationships, a protective-stabilizing pattern. Conclusions Self-control was the most influential protective factor in reducing the risk of fighting at 17–18 and 19–20 for those with high childhood externalizing problems.
CITATION STYLE
Vassallo, S., Edwards, B., & Forrest, W. (2016). Childhood behavior problems and fighting in early adulthood: What factors are protective? Journal of Criminal Justice, 45, 85–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2016.02.010
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