Gender differences in the developmental trajectories, risk factors and outcomes of antisocial behaviors

The purpose of this review was to synthesize relevant research concerning gender differences in risk factors, developmental trajectories and outcomes of antisocial behaviors. Regarding risk factors, research suggests that genetic factors predict female antisocial behavior more so than male antisocial behavior. Research suggests that neonatal insults were found to be better predictors of male antisocial behaviors relative to females. Research also suggests that neurocognitive differences (e.g., ADHD) were more predictive of antisocial behaviors in males than in females. Social factors (i.e., family-related and peer related) were found to predict behavior differently in males and females, depending on the variable in question. With regards to developmental trajectories, the reviewed research suggests that both males and females adhere to similar paths, but differ mostly as a matter of quantity of behaviors along those paths. Finally, it was shown that males on antisocial behavior trajectories faired more poorly than females, but this effect was trajectory dependent.