Adolescent Limited and Lifetime Persistent Antisocial Behavior, Essay Example

Traditionally, the age of onset for early onset antisocial behavior in juveniles has been reported as mid-adolescent.This is because this is when these juveniles first come to the attention of the correctional system.However, it is understood that antisocial behavior in early onset delinquency occurs much earlier even if it has not been recognized. The false identification of when early onset anti-social behavior begins means that it is not possible to distinguish between early onset and late onset groups based on age.By ruling out age as a differentiating factor limits the developmental conclusions that can be drawn based on the maturation related variable and greatly restricts the ability to predict future behavior and outcomes.

While previously it was hypothesized that adolescence caused a surge of delinquent, behavior in children who already displayed antisocial behavior, it was determined this is not the case.The higher rates of antisocial behavior in adolescents does not reflect a single group of children.Instead it indicates the large number of adolescence who are added to the group with lifetime persistent antisocial behavior.Many adolescence participate in delinquent behavior in adolescence.However, to some extent, this is normal.

The majority of the lifetime persistent group of juveniles with conduct problems, display continued antisocial behavior in adulthood and a large percentage develop antisocial personality disorder, a disorder that is frequently called criminality (Eddy & Reid, 2001).The majority of antisocial behavior is committed by a small number of individuals.Furthermore, the stability of delinquency across time and situations are strongly related to how extreme the behavior is.Research shows that both stability across time and stability across situations are characteristic of about 5 percent to 6 percent of juveniles with the most extreme antisocial behavior.It has also been shown that 100% of the extreme group continue to display antisocial and aggressive behavior ten years later. In contrast, the group social phenomenon indicating adolescents desire to experiment with delinquency represents the attraction to assuming the freedom of adulthood and attempting to exercise that freedom is a way that is common to their peer group.

Juveniles with adolescent limited antisocial behavior, tend to grow out of it as they enter adulthood since the adult roles coveted by them in adolescence are now options.Additionally they realize there are severe consequences to criminal behavior that could limit their ability to get or keep a job, result in physical harm, and make it difficult to function normally in society.Those in the lifetime persistent group who go on todevelop antisocial behavior, however, fail to develop empathy, perspective taking skills and don’t recognize the rights of others, only their own right to do what they want regardless of who it may hurt.

The research in this area shows the long term negative effects of juvenile delinquency.There appear to be two groups of offenders, which are differentiated by age of onset, duration of antisocial behavior and associated factors.There are also strong social factors that seem to be connected to the adolescent limited version of juvenile delinquency in addition to attempts to mimic antisocial adult role models and reinforcement of antisocial behavior by peers.The two types of adolescent offenders also frequently interact so the lifetime persistent antisocial juvenile may be the role model for those with adolescent limited antisocial behavior.Intervention studies suggest that antisocial behavior can be treated such that even those with the worst behavior, can turn their lives around so as not to experience the long term negative effects such as extended incarceration, social rejection, the development of psychopathology such as depression and anxiety, the inability to marry and employment problems (Robins, 1993).This points out the importance of conducting risk assessments with juveniles that appear to be displaying the beginning signs of antisocial behavior.This is because the earlier it is detected the better the outcomes. Additionally, associated factors and characteristics can be identified and treated as well.Should this group of children not be identified until adolescence, the associated factors, self- reports of the child’s behavioral history and the reports of important others in the child’s life will increase the ability to distinguish between children with adolescent limited anti-social behavior and those with lifetime persistent antisocial behavior. Appropriate interventions can then be instituted based on the knowledge of each adolescent group (Webster-Stratton & Hammond, 1997).

Many recommend not treating those juveniles in the adolescent limited group since antisocial behavior in this group is likely to die out.However, there are factors such as mimicry of members of the lifetime persistent group, motivation and social reinforcement that can lead to greater risk of the adolescent limited juveniles continuing to display antisocial behavior after they have moved past adolescence.Due to the tendency for this group to return to a normal, well-adjusted life, intervention efforts can help them do so sooner rather than later. Given the positive outcomes of intervention, the option of treatment following identification through a risk assessment should be considered as an option instead of long term incarceration.

References

Eddy, J. M. and Reid, J. B. (2001).The Antisocial Behavior of the Adolescent Children of Incarcerated Parents: A Developmental Perspective.Retrieved from http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/prison2home02/eddy.htm

Moffitt, T. E. (1993). Adolescence-Limited and Life-Course-Persistent Antisocial Behavior: A Developmental Taxonomy. Psychological Review, 100(4), 674-701.

Patterson, G. R. (1982). Coercive Family Process. Eugene, Oregon: Castalia.

Robins, L. N. (1993). Childhood conduct problems, adult psychopathology, and crime. In S.

Hodgins (Ed.), Mental disorder and crime (pp. 173-193). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

Webster-Stratton, C., & Hammond, M. (1997). Treating children with early-onset conduct problems: A comparison of child and parent training interventions. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 65(1), 93-109.