Causes of Conduct Disorder and Juvenile Delinquency [Hardcover]

"Lahey et al. have assembled a splendidly comprehensive assessment of causal theories of conduct disorder and juvenile delinquency. The thirteen chapters--each written by leading scholars in the area--are interdisciplinary in style and scope, ranging substantively from genetic to community models and developmentally from toddlerhood to the early adult years. The volume contains a wealth of information about what is currently known and clear blueprints for future efforts to test and refine the theories. This is a vital sourcebook for all serious students of conduct problems, from upper-division undergraduates to senior scholars."--Terence P. Thornberry, School of Criminal Justice, State University of New York at Albany
"There is a vast amount of information about conduct disorder and juvenile delinquency, but unfortunately, much of the literature is taxonomically confused, emptily empirical, and confounding across variables or risk factors. In contrast, the editors have set the parameters of this volume to be both evidence-driven and focused on causality. To achieve their objective, they have engaged a group of the most distinguished scientists in the field as contributors. The result is a scholarly collation of research data, incisive reviews, and challenging hypotheses for research on causality. This book should be a standard reference for libraries, scholars, and thoughtful clinicians."--John Scott Werry, MD, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, University of Auckland, New Zealand
"Two aspects of this book are notable. First, the array of leading-edge contributors is unusually impressive. The chapter authors are well known in the field, both for their expertise in specific aspects of development and their ability to relate these interest areas to broader processes of developmental psychopathology. Second, the book contains unusually thoughtful efforts to detail hypotheses and research strategies that will empirically advance our understanding of causaln

A great deal has been learned about serious child and adolescent conduct problems, but their causes are still not well understood. This book brings together an international group of leading authorities to advance specific, testable hypotheses about the causes of conduct disorder and juvenile delinquency. Four general causal models are delineated: the social learning model, the developmental pathways model, an integrative antisocial propensity model, and an integrative ecological-developmental model. Also provided are models focusing on specific aspects of the origins of conduct problems, including contextual, psychological, and biological influences. The authors present significant, original theoretical work and map out the kinds of further studies needed to confirm or disconfirm their new or revised hypotheses.