General Biosocial Paradigm of Antisocial Behavior: A Preliminary Test in a Sample of Adolescents

• NCJ Number: 228555
• Journal: Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice Volume: 7 Issue: 4 Dated: October 2009 Pages: 279-298
• Author(s): Michael G. Vaughn; Kevin M. Beaver; Matt DeLisi
• Date Published: October 2009
• Length: 20 pages
• Grant Number(s): P01-HD31921
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study explored and tested a general biosocial theoretical model of antisocial behavior.

Abstract

Along with measures of genetic polymorphisms, neurocogintive skills, self-control, and environmental pathogens, a recursive path-modeling strategy was used to empirically examine the relations between these biosocial measures and forms of antisocial behavior. Results were generally supportive of the general biosocial liability model. Findings showed that the dopamine transporter gene (DATI) and the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) were significantly predictive of new recognitive functioning. Respondents with more DATI risk alleles or with more DRD2 risk alleles had reduced neurocognitive skills. Consistent with the general contours of the biosocial liability model, DATI was positively associated with delinquent peers, and DRD2 was positively associated with maternal withdrawal. The findings suggest that exposure to environmental pathogens by males with vulnerable genotypes may begin to differentially set an individual onto an antisocial pathway as opposed to a prosocial one, a finding consistent with the overall model. Data were collected from 1,136 adolescent males from a nationally representative sample of 80 high schools and 52 middle schools. Table, figures, appendix, notes, and references