Sex Differences in Antisocial Behaviour
Conduct Disorder, Delinquency, and Violence in the Dunedin Longitudinal Study

A fresh approach to sex differences in the causes, course and consequences of antisocial behaviour.

Terrie E. Moffitt (Author), Avshalom Caspi (Author), Michael Rutter (Author), Phil A. Silva (Author)

9780521010665, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 27 September 2001

300 pages, 2 b/w illus. 28 tables
22.8 x 15.3 x 2.2 cm, 0.475 kg

'… the book addresses an anomaly that has arisen from two facts about antisocial behaviour which, when considered together, distinguish antisocial behaviour from depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism and other disorders of childhood, namely that there is a male preponderance in antisocial behaviour, and that there is a large increase in antisocial behaviour during adolescence … the book comes to a powerful conclusion … that the more severe, early-onset presentation of antisocial behaviour that is typical of only 5% of males is associated with neuro-cognitive features with probable strong genetic and biological influences. By contrast, females' antisocial involvement tends to fluctuate more according to circumstances and therefore is more influenced by social factors, notably the socialization influences by male peers … Through its sound methodology and clear description of method and rationale, this must-read book is appropriate for established researchers and/or students interested in prediction studies of the childhood correlates of later health and behaviour outcomes, developmental studies of continuity and change in health and behaviour, and epidemiological studies of the prevalence and incidence of health problems and behaviour problems.' Carla Sharp, Psychological Medicine

Why are females rarely antisocial and males antisocial so often? This key question is addressed in a fresh approach to sex differences in the causes, course and consequences of antisocial behaviour. The book presents findings from a landmark investigation of 1,000 males and females studied from ages 3 to 21 years. It shows that young people develop antisocial behaviour for two main reasons. One form of antisocial behaviour is a neurodevelopmental disorder afflicting males, with low prevalence in the population, early childhood onset and subsequent persistence. The other form of antisocial behaviour, afflicting females as well as males, is common and emerges in the context of social relationships. The book offers insights about diagnosis and measurement, the importance of puberty, the problem of partner violence and the nature of intergenerational transmission. It puts forward an agenda for research about both neurodevelopmental and social influences on antisocial behaviour.

List of figures
List of tables
Preface
Acknowledgements
1. Introduction
2. The Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study
3. Sex differences in the amount of antisocial behaviour: dimensional measures
4. Sex differences in the prevalence of antisocial behaviour: categorical diagnostic measures
5. Sex differences in physical violence and sex similarities in partner abuse
6. Sex and the developmental stability of antisocial behaviour
7. Sex and the age of onset of delinquency and conduct disorder
8. Sex effects in risk predictors for antisocial behaviour: are males more vulnerable than females to risk factors for antisocial behaviour?
9. Sex effects in risk predictors for antisocial behaviour: are males exposed to more risk factors for antisocial behaviour?
10. Can sex differences in personality traits help to explain sex differences in antisocial behaviour?
11. Sex and comorbidity: are there sex differences in the co-occurrence of conduct disorder and other disorders?
12. Do girls who develop antisocial behaviour surmount a higher threshold of risk than their male counterparts?
13. Sex differences in the effects of antisocial behaviour on young adult outcomes
14. Sex, antisocial behaviour and mating: mate selection and early childbearing
15. Evaluating the recommendation to relax the criteria for diagnosing conduct disorder in girls
16. Life-course persistent and adolescence-limited antisocial behaviour among males and females
17. Priorities for a research agenda
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Crime & criminology [JKV], Social welfare & social services [JKS]