PARTNERS, PEERS, AND PATHWAYS - ASSORTATIVE PAIRING AND CONTINUITIES IN CONDUCT DISORDER

The role of assortative pairing for conduct problems in the continuity of such problems with pervasive social maladaptation in early adultho od was examined in a general population inner-city sample and a high-r isk group (young people raised in children's homes). Previous findings showing a switch out of conduct disorder for those in the high-risk g roup who had supportive cohabiting relationships in early adulthood we re replicated in the general population sample, using a latent class a nalysis. Conduct-disordered individuals, however, were much less likel y to attain supportive relationships. The reasons for this lay in a ch ain of environmental linkages through which conduct-disordered individ uals paired assortatively with those who provided less support. This p rocess involved unsatisfactory parenting environments, a lack of planf ul competence, and the membership of a deviant peer group. Protection afforded by a stable family life, a nondeviant peer group, and planful behavior reduced the risks of assortative pairing. The linking proces ses appeared to be the same for the general population and the high-ri sk samples, although having been in the children's homes related to an increased risk of a lack of support, even when the linking processes were taken into account.