Development of Adult

Antisocial Behavior

Chapter 14

Thomas J. Dishion and Kristina Hiatt Racer

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Historically, there have been two predominant philosophical perspectives on the origins of antisocial behavior: Antisocial qualities are considered to be innate and

characterological. Antisocial qualities are acquired through poor socialization.

A more current transactional or diathesis–stress perspective incorporates the idea that the same outcome (e.g., persistent antisocial behavior) may be due, across individuals, to a relatively greater contribution of either internal vulnerabilities or environmental risks.

TERMINOLOGICAL, CONCEPTUAL, AND DIAGNOSTIC ISSUES

Current DSMV-IV diagnostic criteria for ASPD include a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others, as indicated by three or more of the following:

Failure to conform to social norms regarding lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest

Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal pleasure or profit

Impulsivity or failure to plan aheadIrritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or

assaultsReckless disregard for the safety of self or othersConsistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain

consistent work behavior or honor financial obligationsLack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having

hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another

TERMINOLOGICAL, CONCEPTUAL, AND DIAGNOSTIC ISSUES

Among children and adolescents, persistent antisocial behavior may lead to a diagnosis of ODD or CD.

In individuals age 18 years or older, persistent antisocial behavior may lead to a diagnosis of ASPD.

Discussion of ASPD overlaps to some degree with the terms dyssocial personality, sociopathy, and psychopathy.

There continues to be active debate about the DSM ASPD construct and whether it should remain behavioral and objective or include some or all of the personality characteristics of psychopathy.

PREVALENCE

The 2001 to 2002 National Epidemiologic Survey indicated a lifetime prevalence rate of 3.6% for ASPD, with risk being 3 times greater among men than among women (Compton, Conway, Stinson, Colliver, & Grant, 2005; Grant et al., 2004).

The lifetime prevalence of adult antisocial behavior only (not meeting the childhood CD criterion) was 12.3%, and the prevalence of retrospectively reported CD in childhood without antisocial behavior in adulthood was 1.1% (Compton et al., 2005).

Estimates of ASPD prevalence within incarcerated populations range from 49% to 80% (Widiger & Corbitt, 1995).

RISK FACTORS

Childhood conduct problems are perhaps the best single predictor of adult ASPD.

Earlier onset of conduct problems is associated with greater risk of persistence into adulthood (Moffitt, 1993, 2006).

Not all youth with conduct problems continue to show antisocial behavior in adulthood.

Childhood abuse and neglect may be particularly important in the etiology of ASPD.

RISK FACTORS

Neurobiological risk factors may play a role in early-onset and persisting antisocial behavior (Moffitt, 1993).

Antisocial behavior tends to run in families (Farrington et al., 1996).

G x EGenetic risk for problem behavior in adolescence and

adulthood was completely eliminated by parental monitoring practices in adolescence (Dick et al., 2009).

Substance use and abuse

ETIOLOGY AND TRANSACTIONAL PROGRESSIONS

Onset PatternThe most important etiological consideration is when the

antisocial behavior emerged during development and the transactional factors that account for amplification of childhood antisocial behaviors through adolescence to more serious forms in adulthood.

Parenting• Coercion Theory

• During childhood to adolescence, caregivers giving negative feedback reinforces the problem behavior.

• Coercive interactions between the parent and child consist of a cycle of intrusive demands, compliance refusals, escalating distress and negative affect, and finally, withdrawal of the demand.

ETIOLOGY AND TRANSACTIONAL PROGRESSIONS

A core feature of antisocial behavior in adulthood, believed to be linked to psychopathy, is callousness/lack of remorse.

Peer-related pathways: • Antisocial behavior interferes with positive peer relations, depriving

children of the positive benefits of peer learning and confining them within marginal social niches.

• Children may act as models and a source of reinforcement for antisocial behavior.

• As children develop friendship networks, support for antisocial behavior is established by providing both reinforcement and opportunity for such behavior within networks of deviant peers.

ETIOLOGY AND TRANSACTIONAL PROGRESSIONS

Figure 14.1. A model for the amplification of antisocial behavior to violence.

COMORBIDITY, SEX DIFFERENCES, AND CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS

ASPD may co-occur with any one or more of the following:ADHD, substance abuse, externalizing syndromes, anxiety

disorders, depression.Men are 2 to 3 times more likely to receive a

diagnosis of ASPD (Hesselbrock, Meyer, & Keener, 1985).

The prognosis and correlates of ASPD appear to be similar for men and women (Cale & Lilienfeld, 2002).

Family- and neighborhood-level risk factors, such as poverty, unemployment, single parenthood, and low income, often co-occur with ethnic minority status.

THEORETICAL SYNTHESIS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Figure 14.2 A model for self-regulation in the development of problem behavior. Adapted from Dishion and Patterson, 2006.

THEORETICAL SYNTHESIS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Relationship DynamicsDynamic systems approach can produce measures such

as stable relationship patterns (attractors), abrupt changes in the system (phase transitions), and the overall predictability of the system (entropy).

Self-RegulationModerator of relationship dynamicsCultural differences

Biosocial FactorsLinking G × E interactions with behavioral and

physiological measures.

THEORETICAL SYNTHESIS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Sociocultural FactorsSystematically apply and evaluate systems-level policies

and interventions for improving sociocultural contexts and reducing antisocial behavior.

Defining DisordersFuture research must build upon the ASPD construct to

examine issues such as: • Whether ASPD differs in nature from less severe or persistent

forms of antisocial behavior• Whether the development (and treatment) of persistent antisocial

behavior can be better understood by disaggregating ASPD into more homogenous groupings