Conflict of interest statement: No conflicts declared.
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Growth in adolescent delinquency and alcohol use in relation to young adult crime, alcohol use disorders, and risky sex: a comparison of youth from low- versus middle-income backgrounds
Article first published online: 26 JUL 2010
DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2010.02292.x
© 2010 The Authors. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. © 2010 Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Issue
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry
Special Issue: Special Section: Early Prevention & Intervention Programs
Volume 51, Issue 12, pages 1377–1385, December 2010
Additional Information
How to Cite
Alex Mason, W., Hitch, J. E., Kosterman, R., McCarty, C. A., Herrenkohl, T. I. and David Hawkins, J. (2010), Growth in adolescent delinquency and alcohol use in relation to young adult crime, alcohol use disorders, and risky sex: a comparison of youth from low- versus middle-income backgrounds. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 51: 1377–1385. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2010.02292.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 12 NOV 2010
- Article first published online: 26 JUL 2010
- Manuscript accepted 8 June 2010
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- Alcohol abuse;
- delinquency;
- longitudinal studies;
- sexual behaviour;
- social class
Background: This study examined adolescent delinquency and alcohol use in relation to young adult crime, alcohol use disorders (AUDs), and risky sex. Analyses further examined the influences of late childhood involvement in these problem behavior outcomes, with mediation through teen delinquency and alcohol use, and examined differences in the pathways for youth from low- compared to middle-income backgrounds.
Method: Multiple-group latent growth curve modeling was conducted using data collected from a sample of 808 youth followed from age 10 to age 24. Self-report assessments included delinquent involvement, alcohol use, and sexual activity in late childhood; delinquency and alcohol use in adolescence; and crime, AUDs, and risky sex in early adulthood.
Results: Late childhood delinquent involvement was associated with young adult crime, AUDs, and risky sex indirectly through adolescent delinquency, and had a persistent direct effect on crime. Adolescent delinquency also mediated the relation between early sex onset and crime. Early alcohol use predicted a higher level of, and a faster rate of increase in, adolescent drinking, which predicted, in turn, young adult AUDs and risky sex. Significant group differences indicated stronger associations between adolescent delinquency and each young adult outcome for youth from low- compared to those from middle-income backgrounds.
Conclusions: Early intervention may help prevent the development of crime, AUDs, and risky sex behaviors, especially among disadvantaged youth.