Research review: a critical review of studies on the developmental trajectories of antisocial behavior in females.
BACKGROUND
Knowledge on the onset and the development of antisocial behavior in females is limited, because most of the research in this domain is based on males.


METHODS
We critically reviewed 46 empirical studies that examined developmental trajectories of antisocial behavior in females, notably to help determine whether or not an early-onset/life-course-persistent trajectory exists in females.


RESULTS
The review suggested that antisocial behavior in females can follow different developmental trajectories (e.g., early-onset/life-course-persistent, childhood-limited, adolescence-limited, adolescence-delayed-onset, adulthood-onset). However, many of the studies reviewed were limited by factors such as the use of global measures of antisocial behavior, the identification of the trajectories based on threshold criteria, and the small sample sizes.


CONCLUSIONS
Future studies should take into account the shortcomings highlighted in this review. Such studies are needed to improve the understanding and prevention of the development of antisocial behavior in females.
Fontaine
Nathalie
N
Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK. n.fontaine@ucl.ac.uk
Carbonneau
René
R
Vitaro
Frank
F
Barker
Edward D
ED
Tremblay
Richard E
RE
D017668:Age of Onset; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012106:Research / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D012107:Research Design; D012737:Sex Factors