No abstract

Few studies have assessed early predictors of antisocial behaviour in Australia and the current results can be used to inform prevention programs that target risk factors likely to lead to problem outcomes for Australian youth.

Both males and females exhibiting AO and LCP antisocial behaviour are at increased risk of serious adverse outcomes in young adulthood. The significant loss to follow up of high-risk groups suggests the important relationship between early antisocial behaviour and problems in adulthood have been underestimated. Further research is required to understand antisocial behaviour in adolescence, identify factors that reinforce its continuity into adulthood, and identify interventions which are able to modify adult outcomes.

This chapter describes an empirical test of the integrated cognitive antisocial potential (ICAP) theory based on the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development (CSDD), which is a prospective longitudinal survey of 411 South London males beginning at age 8 years. It describes the ICAP theory and its contrasting of between-individual differences in long-term antisocial potential and within-individual variations in short-term antisocial potential. The chapter then describes the CSDD, its research on two generations of males, and its measurement of comparable risk factors in the two generations. A new test of the development of long-term antisocial potential in the ICAP theory is then presented. This chapter concludes that predictions from the ICAP theory have generally been supported.

This study examined the association between age of onset and persistence of externalizing behavior and young adults' cannabis use disorders (CUDs). Data were from a 21 year follow-up of a birth cohort study in Brisbane, Australia. The present cohort consisted of 2225 young adults who had data available about CUDs at 21 years and externalizing behavior at 5 and 14 years. Young adults' CUDs were assessed using the CIDIAuto. Child and adolescent externalizing behavior were assessed at the 5-and 14-year phases of the study. After controlling for confounding variables, children who had externalizing behavior at both 5 and 14 years (child-onset-persistent) (COP) had a substantial increase in risk of CUD at age 21 years (Odds ratio (OR) = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.5, 4.2). This association was similar for those who had 'adolescent onset' (AO) externalizing behavior. However, there was no association between 'childhood limited' (CL) externalizing behavior and CUD. Externalizing behavior in adolescence is a strong predictor of subsequent CUD. Smoking and drinking at 14 years partially mediated the link between externalizing behavior and CUD.