Life-Course-Persistent Antisocial Behavior

Abstract

The article reviewed the status of the Life Course Persistent category of antisocial behavior some two decades plus from its original formulation as well as the finding from the landmark Dunedin longitudinal study of antisocial behavior that this category is comprised almost entirely of males. The importance of this category for forensic psychology is the robust and remarkable finding that the small group of individuals (5-10%) who tend to cluster in this category are responsible for over half of all crimes in the United States and other developed countries, and an even greater proportion of violent crimes.

Investigating parenting factors, traumatic brain injury and callous and unemotional traits among high school students in a South African setting

“…Some studies have shown that substance use and depressive symptoms in adolescents may increase the likelihood of displaying antisocial behaviours (Hemphill et al, 2015; Park et al, 2010). In addition, age has a significant impact on antisocial behaviours in that the period of adolescence is associated with a significantly higher degree of antisocial behaviours compared to other phases in an individual’s lifespan (Eme, 2016; Henry et al, 1993). Although all our participants were adolescents, the age range was quite large (13–21), and thus it was necessary to control for age.…”

Distinguishing “incorrigibility” from “transient immaturity”: Risk assessment in the context of sentencing/resentencing evaluations for juvenile homicide offenders.

“…Criminality along the life span tends to follow a normal curve, peaking around Age 16 and declining in late adolescence or early adulthood, a pattern known as the age-crime curve (Hirschi & Gottfredson, 1983; Nagin, 2016). Rather than an abrupt cessation of offending, desistance is an extended process of lower-level offending before cessation occurs (DeLisi & Piquero, 2011; Eme, 2016). Data from the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development suggest that offenders typically “age out” of crime between Ages 20 and 30 (Jennings, Rocque, Fox, Piquero, & Farrington, 2016).…”

“…Schumacher and Kurz (1999) replicated these results, finding 8% of juvenile offenders accounted for approximately 60% of criminal cases. Recent estimates place the percentage of life-course persistent juvenile offenders at 3–10% (DeLisi, 2016; Eme, 2016; Nagin, 2016). Taken together, research suggests a small proportion of juvenile offenders (3–10%) will offend across the life span.…”

“…Research suggests certain biological and time-stable traits impact the probability of antisocial behavior. The presence of certain biological risk factors such as psychopathy, low resting heart rate, or the MAOA gene are associated with higher likelihood of engaging in higher levels of offending over the life span (DeLisi & Piquero, 2011; Eme, 2016; Raine, 2013). Males are more likely to be life-course persistent offenders than females, with observed ratios of between 3:1 and 15:1 (DeLisi, 2005; Eme, 2016).…”

“…Behavioral indicators linked to life-course persistent offending include low levels of self-control, higher levels of aggression, earlier onset of antisocial behaviors, and greater variety in antisocial behaviors compared with similar-age peers (Corrado & Freedman, 2011; DeLisi, 2005; Eme, 2016). Youth may begin to exhibit these behaviors as young as Age 3 (Corrado & Freedman, 2011; Eme, 2016). Besides individual and behavioral characteristics, social factors play an integral role in the onset of antisocial behaviors.…”