Developmental changes in genetic and environmental influences on rule-breaking and aggression: age and pubertal development.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Antisocial behavior (ASB) can be meaningfully divided into nonaggressive rule-breaking versus aggressive dimensions, which differ in developmental course and etiology. Previous research has found that genetic influences on rule-breaking, but not aggression, increase from late childhood to mid-adolescence. This study tested the extent to which the developmental increase in genetic influence on rule-breaking was associated with pubertal development compared to chronological age.

Method

Child and adolescent twins (n = 1,031), ranging in age from 8 to 20 years (M age = 13.5 years), were recruited from public schools as part of the Texas Twin Project. Participants reported on their pubertal development using the Pubertal Development Scale and on their involvement in AS

SUBMITTER: Harden KP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4618266 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature