Precursors and correlates of criminal behaviour in women.
BACKGROUND
The precursors and correlates of criminal behaviour in women were examined in this longitudinal study of women in their late thirties.


METHODS
The sample consisted of a high-risk group of women (n = 86) and a comparison group (n = 97): the former had been raised in institutional care. Questionnaire measures of childhood behaviour problems and detailed interview data from two time points in adulthood were obtained, along with official records of offending.


RESULTS
In terms of childhood precursors, antisocial behaviour, institutional rearing, hyperactivity and adolescent conduct disorder were found to be significantly related to offending. Later adolescent factors were also found to be important: mixing with deviant peers and leaving school without any qualifications or plans for work. Correlates of offending in adulthood included difficulties in mental health, drug use, marriage and parenting. Further analysis was undertaken to clarify the associations by using ex-care status and conduct disorder as covariates.


CONCLUSIONS
Well-established predictors of offending in male samples seem quite as important for women and girls. The findings also suggested strong links between offending and problems in parenting.
Messer
Julie
J
MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK. J.Messer@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Maughan
Barbara
B
Quinton
David
D
Taylor
Alan
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003415:Crime / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D016487:Parenting; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires