REDUCING RISKS FOR ANTISOCIAL-BEHAVIOR WITH A PROGRAM OF PRENATAL ANDEARLY-CHILDHOOD HOME VISITATION

Risk factors for conduct disorder, antisocial behavior, and violence a re reviewed and related to the known effects of a program of prenatal and early childhood home visitation. The program reduced three domains of risk for the development of problem behavior. The effects include: (a) a reduction in maternal substance abuse during pregnancy; (b) a r eduction in child maltreatment; and (c) a reduction in family size, cl osely spaced pregnancies, and chronic welfare dependence. These factor s-especially when they co-occur-have been shown to increase the risk f or conduct disorder,delinquency, crime, and youth violence. There is i ncreasing evidence that comprehensive prenatal and early childhood hom e visitation programs can affect these risks early in the life cycle a nd reduce conduct disorder and antisocial behavior among children and youth born into at-risk families. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.