Childhood behaviour problems predict crime and violence in late adolescence: Brazilian and British birth cohort studies.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Most children live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), many of which have high levels of violence. Research in high-income countries (HICs) shows that childhood behaviour problems are important precursors of crime and violence. Evidence is lacking on whether this is also true in LMICs. This study examines prevalence rates and associations between conduct problems and hyperactivity and crime and violence in Brazil and Britain.

Methods

A comparison was made of birth cohorts in Brazil and Britain, including measures of behaviour problems based on parental report at age 11, and self-reports of crime at age 18 (N = 3,618 Brazil; N = 4,103 Britain). Confounders were measured in the perinatal period and at age 11 in questionnaires completed by the mother and, in Br

SUBMITTER: Murray J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4361758 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature