ABSTRACT
A consistent finding from research on serious antisocial, aggressive and delinquent behaviour is that early onset of conduct problems (i.e. before the onset of puberty) is one of the best predictors of risk for antisocial outcomes in adolescence and adulthood (Moffitt, 2006). This finding has important implications for causal theories of serious conduct problems because it suggests that problems emerging early in development can set the stage for more serious problems later in life. More importantly, it has implications for prevention as there are a number of interventions that are successful for treating conduct problems in young children and subsequently reducing their risk for various antisocial outcomes (Frick, 2012). As a result, it is imperative to (a) gain a thorough understanding of early risk factors that can influence the development of conduct problems and (b) determine how these risk factors negatively influence the healthy development of the child, placing him or her at risk for serious behaviour problems.
