1. Objectifs

Intentions :
« The present study investigates the predictive value of childhood behavioral profiles (eg, hyperactivity, fearlessness, and prosociality) on the developmental course of deviant peer group affiliation during adolescence. In addition, this study examines the effect of early family adversity in interaction with these behavioral profiles ont the likelihood of deviant peer group affiliation. » (p. 562)

Questions/Hypothèses :
« We hypothesized that boys who initiate a deviant peer group trajectory during early adolescence are more likely to display the following profile during kindergarten: high hyperactivity, high fearlessness, and low prosociality. We also hypothesized that the risk increases when boys with this profile live in a context of high family adversity, since it may not provide an optimal socialization environment for boys with an at-risk profile. » (p. 563)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
« Setting: Fifty-three inner-city elementary schools in a large Canadian city.
Paricipants: A total of 1037 boys in kindergarten from low socioeconomic neighborhoods. » (p. 562)

Instruments :
- Social Behavior Questionnaire
- Prosocial Behavior Questionnaire

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

« Context: Deviant peer group involvement is strongly related to onset, aggravation, and persistence of conduct problems during adolescence.
Objective: To identify early childhood behavioral profiles that predict early-onset deviant peer group involvement.
Design: A 12-year longitudinal study of behavioral development.
Main Outcome Measures: Annual self-reported deviant peer group involvement from 11 to 17 years of age.
Results: Kindergarten boys were at highest risk of following an early adolescence trajectory of deviant peer group affiliation if they were hyperactive, fearless, and low on prosocial behaviors but much less at risk if they scored high on only 2 of these dimensions. Family adversity had no main effect but substantially increased the risk of following an early adolescence trajectory of deviant peer group affiliation for boys with a profile of hyperactivity, fearlessness, and low prosocial behaviors.
Conclusions: Kindergarten boys from low socioeconomic areas who are hyperactive, fearless, infrequently prosocial, and raised in adverse family environments are at much heightened risk of engaging in deviant peer groups early in their development. Boys at high risk can be identified as early as kindergarten and should be targeted for preventive intervention. » (p. 562)