ERIC Number: EJ933620
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Feb
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-006X
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Latent Structure of Life-Course-Persistent Antisocial Behavior: Is Moffitt's Developmental Taxonomy a True Taxonomy?
Walters, Glenn D.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, v79 n1 p96-105 Feb 2011
Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether life-course-persistent (LCP) and adolescence-limited (AL) antisocial behavior form distinct categories or lie along a common dimension. Method: Taxometric analyses were performed on 2,175 men and women from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth-Child Data (Center for Human Resource Research, 2009) with at least 1 self-reported delinquent act. The 3 externalizing factor scales from the parent-rated Behavior Problems Index (Peterson & Zill, 1986)--Antisocial, Headstrong, and Hyperactive--served as indicators in an investigation into the latent structure of LCP and AL antisocial behavior. Results: All 3 taxometric procedures included in this study--mean above minus below a cut, maximum covariance, and latent mode factor analysis--produced results consistent with the conclusion that the latent structure of LCP and AL antisocial behavior is dimensional in nature. Conclusion: From a conceptual standpoint, the results of this study suggest that LCP and AL antisocial behavior differ in degree (quantitative difference) rather than in kind (qualitative difference). These results have potentially important implications for theory development as well as for clinical assessment, diagnosis, and intervention. (Contains 2 tables and 3 figures.)
Descriptors: Classification, Adolescents, Longitudinal Studies, Delinquency, Behavior Problems, Factor Analysis, Antisocial Behavior, Hyperactivity, Intervention, Clinical Diagnosis
American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org/publications
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: National Longitudinal Survey of Youth
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A