Course of antisocial behavior during emerging adulthood: Developmental differences in personality

Daniel M. Blonigen, Andrew K. Littlefield, Brian M. Hicks, Kenneth J. Sher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Despite similar normative changes in antisocial behavior (AB) and traits of disinhibition and negative emotionality during "emerging adulthood," few studies have tested if there are developmental differences in personality over this period for distinct courses of AB. In a college cohort assessed at ages 18 and 25, we examined if mean-level changes on traits from the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire varied by course of AB. Compared to persisters, those who desisted in AB from 18 to 25 exhibited a larger decrease on novelty seeking and larger increase on reward dependence. A significant mean-level decline was observed for harm avoidance, but was unrelated to AB course. Findings support theories of the co-development of personality and AB during emerging adulthood.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)729-733
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Research in Personality
Volume44
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2010

Keywords

  • Antisocial behavior
  • Emerging adulthood
  • Personality development
  • Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Course of antisocial behavior during emerging adulthood: Developmental differences in personality'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this