Anti-Social and Other Problem Behaviours Among Young Children: Findings From the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children

• NCJ Number: 224654
• Author(s): Erica Bowen; Jon Heron; Colin Steer
• Editor(s): May El Komy
• Date Published: 2008
• Length: 59 pages
• Sale Source: Great Britain Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: Home Office Online Report 02/08; downloaded November 11, 2008.

Annotation

This paper presents findings from 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 youth ages in relation to antisocial and other problem behaviors.

Abstract

Highlights of findings from a study on patterns of antisocial and other problem behaviors among young children and associated characteristics include: (1) the majority of children in the sample or 70 percent did not report involvement in any antisocial or other problem behaviors at the two assessment time points--age 8½ and 10½; (2) more males than females reported involvement in antisocial or other problem behaviors; and (3) involvement in a number of types of behavior up to age 8½ significantly increased the likelihood of involvement in further antisocial and other types of problem behavior at age 10½ , such as smoking, setting fires, carrying a weapon, and drinking alcohol. Highlights of findings from a study on characteristics associated with resilience in children at high risk of involvement in antisocial and other problem behaviors include: (1) from the sample of children said to be at high risk of involvement, 88 percent were defined as being resilient; (2) in comparison, the resilient children had significantly fewer peer problems, higher IQs and self-esteem, greater levels of school enjoyment and lower levels of family adversity; and (3) gender was found to be significantly associated with resilience; girls were more likely to be resilient than boys. There is a considerable body of existing research which examines the characteristics that are associated with young people’s involvement in antisocial and other problem behaviors. In building on the existing research evidence, the two studies described in this paper examined the involvement of young people in antisocial behavior. The study followed the children of 14,541 pregnant mothers expected to delivery between 1 April 1991 and 31 December 1992 enrolled in the study. Tables, figures, references, and appendices