The Development and Ecology of Antisocial Behavior in Children and Adolescents

This chapter discusses the possible role of self-regulation in the development of antisocial behavior. Consistent with a social interaction perspective, the authors assume that self-regulation is highly embedded in relationship dynamics, consisting of a set of behaviors such as turn taking and listening to others. Self-regulation is the most promising candidate for linking individual characteristics to the ecology in a way that will be helpful in understanding the development of antisocial behavior. The chapter describes the complementary hypothesis that the social interactions within a gang, replete with mutual identification, account for the influence of gangs on problem behavior. A repeating theme in the chapter, and in developmental psychopathology in general, is the synergistic relationship between intervention research and developmental research. The chapter uses a mesosystem model that incorporates both parenting practices and peer influences to explain the persistence and continuance of antisocial behavior into adulthood.