Self-Control and Social Control in Childhood Misconduct and Aggression: The Role of Family Structure, Hyperactivity, and Hostile Parenting

• NCJ Number: 194451
• Journal: Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 44 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2002 Pages: 119-142
• Author(s): Augustine Brannigan; William Gemmell; David J. Pevalin; Terrance J. Wade
• Date Published: April 2002
• Length: 24 pages
• Grant Number(s): 410-98-0539
• Sponsoring Agency: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: Canada

Annotation

This study examined the effect on childhood misconduct and aggression of family structure, hyperactivity, and hostile parenting.

Abstract

This study examined models of misconduct and aggression in children aged 4 to 11 using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (n=13,067). The study established that structural, individual, or self-control, and social control factors acted in conjunction to predict elevated levels of misconduct and aggression in childhood. Family structure appeared to directly affect conduct disorders and aggression. Individual level traits, particularly hyperactivity, and social/familial factors, particularly hostile parenting, contributed to misconduct and aggression, and appeared to do so throughout the early ages of childhood. The study claimed that existing data did not permit sound inferences about the causal ordering of childhood hyperactivity and parental hostility. It recommends further work to determine the directionality of this relationship during the first 47 months of childhood. Tables, notes, references