Developmental Pathways to Aggression and Violence

In this chapter, we examine four developmental pathways leading to aggression and violence among youths and young adults: childhood-onset conduct problems, adolescent-onset conduct problems, callous-unemotional traits, and relational aggression. Adult outcomes reflect the type and age of onset of earlier conduct problems as well as the dynamic progression of neurobiological, behavioral, and social-ecological risks to development. Children with early onset conduct problems are at elevated risk for a mix of adult outcomes that include criminal behavior, psychological and health disorders, poor work and educational histories, and violent behavior toward intimate partners and offspring. These adverse and costly outcomes are not inevitable. The fact that the most serious difficulties begin in early childhood underscores the importance of preventive efforts with high-risk children and their families.