NCJ Number
230601
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 37 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2010 Pages: 709-731
Date Published
June 2010
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This study assessed the predictive effects of affect dysregulation and deficient affect simultaneously with the intent to investigate whether these constructs are distinct risk factors for aggressive and antisocial behaviors in youth.
Abstract
Children with high dysregulated affect experience a range of emotional and behavioral problems, including aggression, delinquency, and low levels of prosocial behavior. Alongside this research, the psychopathy literature suggests that abnormally low levels of affect and emotional reactivity are associated with aggression and violence. The current study builds on prior research in the fields of affect regulation and psychopathy by testing the effects of affect dysregulation and deficient affect in predicting aggression and antisociality in 179 high-risk youth. Using structural equation modeling, results suggest that affect dysregulation and deficient affect are separate risk factors for aggression, as both constructs contributed independently to aggression while showing marginal relations with one another. Features of deficient affect, but not dysregulation, were robust predictors of violent and nonviolent offending. The authors discuss the importance of recognizing that diverse risk factors may lead to similar outcomes and highlight the heterogeneity in risk factors underlying aggressive behaviors. Tables, figures, notes, and references (Published Abstract)