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Factors associated with continuity and changes in disruptive behavior patterns between childhood and adolescence
D M Fergusson1, M T Lynskey, L J Horwood
1Department of Psychological Medicine, Christchurch School of Medicine, New Zealand.
Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
|October 1, 1996
Summary
Children with early disruptive behaviors face significantly higher risks of adolescent conduct disorder. However, some children show remission or later onset, influenced by peer affiliations and intermediate risk backgrounds.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Child Psychiatry
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Disruptive behaviors in middle childhood can predict later conduct problems.
- Understanding behavioral continuity and discontinuity is crucial for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between early disruptive behaviors and adolescent conduct disorder.
- To identify patterns of behavioral continuity and discontinuity in a birth cohort.
Main Methods:
- Latent class analysis was used to identify behavioral trajectories.
- A New Zealand birth cohort of children aged 7-9 years was studied.
Main Results:
- Children with early disruptive behaviors had over 16 times higher odds of adolescent conduct disorder.
- 12% of children showed discontinuous histories: 5% early onset/remission, 7% later onset.
- Discontinuous histories were linked to intermediate risk backgrounds.
- Peer affiliation with delinquent peers influenced late onset and remission.
Conclusions:
- Strong behavioral continuity exists, but significant discontinuity also occurs.
- Peer factors are critical in adolescent behavioral change, affecting both remission and onset.
- Intermediate risk backgrounds characterize children with discontinuous behavioral histories.