Distinguishing the early-onset/persistent and adolescence-onset antisocialbehavior types: From birth to 16 years

Moffitt's theory regarding two types of adolescent antisocial behavior was investigated using a prospective, longitudinal study of normal and abnormal development in a primarily low socioeconomic status, ethnically diverse sa mple. Results supported the presence of an early-onset/persistent (EOP) gro up and an adolescence-onset (AO) group. Groups were most reliably and signi ficantly distinguished by indices of socioemotional history within the firs t 3 years, but no significant differences were found on early measures of t emperament or neuropsychological functioning. EOPs scored significantly low er than other groups on measures of neuropsychological functioning only dur ing late childhood and adolescence, suggesting that the declines in verbal Functioning that have been so reliably found in this and other samples of e arly-starting antisocial adolescents are progressive and consequent to adve rse experience. In adolescence, AOs were significantly more likely to repor t high levels of internalizing symptoms and life stress, suggesting that AO antisocial behavior is not a benign phenomenon. Implications of these find ings for etiologic theories of adolescent antisocial behavior are discussed .