NCJ Number
232076
Editor(s)
May El Komy
Date Published
February 2008
Length
59 pages
Annotation
This research examines the characteristics that are associated with young people's involvement in antisocial and other problem behaviors.
Abstract
The chapters in this volume represent the findings of two studies carried out on a sample from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), a prospective birth cohort study, at two key ages - 81/2 and 101/2 years. Seventy percent of children in the sample did not report involvement in any antisocial or other problem behaviors at the two assessment time points: at age 81/2 when children were asked if they had ever been involved in antisocial and other problem behaviors; and at age 101/2 when they were asked if they had been involved in antisocial or other problem behaviors in the previous 6 months; girls reported less involvement. Behaviors, such as smoking a cigarette; setting fire to property; carrying a weapon in case of a fight; and drinking alcohol without parental permission, up to age 81/2 significantly increased the likelihood of involvement in further antisocial and other types of problem behavior at age 101/2. Children who reported involvement in antisocial and other problem behaviors at both time points (81/2 and 101/2 ) have significantly greater conduct problems up to the age of 6 3/4, a higher level of family adversity, lower levels of prosocial behavior, lower levels of performance IQ and poorer friendship quality. Of children said to be at high risk of involvement in antisocial and other problem behaviors, 88 percent were defined as being resilient and had significantly fewer peer problems; higher IQs and self-esteem; greater levels of school enjoyment and lower levels of family adversity. In addition, the mothers of the resilient children had better parenting skills, but surprisingly, reported less positive parenting experiences. Girls were more likely to be resilient than boys. Tables, figures, appendixes, and references