Developmental Pathways to Conduct Disorder

The Role of Violent Media Preference in Cumulative Developmental Risk for Violence and General Aggression

“…According to the authorities investigating the crimes, the teenagers had determined to replicate the actions of Niko Belic, the thuggish protagonist from the new video game "Grand Theft Auto IV." Although this particular event represents an extreme example of how violence in the media can promote violence in "real life," it is wholly consistent with the fact that for decades, exposure to violent media has been acknowledged as a risk factor for aggressive and violent behavior (Anderson et al 2003; US Surgeon General 1972).Broadly speaking, antisocial behavior in adolescence is multiply determined, with risk factors at multiple levels spanning biological, psychological, and contextual influences (Dodge et al 2006;Frick 2006;Hoge Guerra and Boxer 2008;Huesmann and Eron 1989). Theoretical models of the development of antisocial behavior have embraced this equifinality, acknowledging the numerous ways in which different loci of risk can interact to promote habitual antisocial responses (Dodge and Pettit 2003;Frick and Morris 2004;Guerra and Huesmann 2004).…”

“…Broadly speaking, antisocial behavior in adolescence is multiply determined, with risk factors at multiple levels spanning biological, psychological, and contextual influences (Dodge et al 2006;Frick 2006;Hoge Guerra and Boxer 2008;Huesmann and Eron 1989). Theoretical models of the development of antisocial behavior have embraced this equifinality, acknowledging the numerous ways in which different loci of risk can interact to promote habitual antisocial responses (Dodge and Pettit 2003;Frick and Morris 2004;Guerra and Huesmann 2004).…”

Violence Exposure Mediates the Relation Between Callous-Unemotional Traits and Offending Patterns in Adolescents

“…Callous-unemotional (CU) traits-theorized to be the childhood manifestation of adult psychopathydistinguish a subset of youth with conduct problems who are characterized by a lack of remorse and empathy, uncaring behaviors, and an inability to express emotion (Christian, Frick, Hill, Tyler, & Frazier, 1997;Frick, 2006;Frick, Bodin, & Barry, 2000). Several studies find that CU traits are moderately stable from late childhood to early adolescence (Frick, Kimonis, Dandreaux, & Farrell, 2003;Munoz & Frick, 2007), and from adolescence to adulthood (Lynam, Caspi, Moffitt, Loeber, & Stouthamer-Loeber, 2007;Lynam, Miller, Vachon, Loeber, & Stouthamer-Loeber, 2009).…”

Parenting and child externalizing behaviors: Are the associations specific or diffuse?

“…Given the individual, familial, and societal costs of childhood externalizing problems, substantial empirical attention has been devoted to examining risk factors for the development of externalizing behaviors and the efficacy of intervention services for these behaviors (see reviews by Burke et al, 2002;Frick, 2006;Loeber et al, 2000). Well-established behavioral parent training programs were founded upon theory and research highlighting the link between inadequate parenting and child externalizing behaviors; however, many children present clinically with internalizing problems or comorbid externalizing problems and internalizing problems.…”

“…Untreated externalizing behaviors are associated with a wide range of negative outcomes for children and adolescents and, based on the early starter model of externalizing problem behavior (see McMahon, Wells, & Kohler, 2006), often have effects that last into adulthood, including substance use, unstable employment, and relationship difficulties (Champion, Goodall, & Rutter, 1995;McMahon et al, 2006;Offord & Bennett, 1994). Given the individual, familial, and societal costs of externalizing behaviors, substantial empirical attention has been devoted to examining risk factors for the development of externalizing behaviors and the efficacy of intervention services (see reviews by Burke, Loeber, & Birmhamer, 2002;Frick, 2006;Loeber, Burke, Lahey, Winters, & Zera, 2000).…”