Do the risk factors associated with conduct problems in adolescents vary according to gender?

Abstract

The present paper examines whether there are gender differences in the associations between conduct problems and risk factors such as family conditions, peer influence, leisure activities, school-related variables and pubertal timing. We analysed self-reported data collected as part of a large general population study of Norwegian adolescents (N=9342). On the basis of earlier studies, conduct problems were decomposed into three dimensions, labelled theft and vandalism, school opposition and covert behaviour. The first dimension includes different kinds of theft and vandalism, whereas the second includes school-related conduct problems of an overt aggressive kind. The last dimension reflects avoidance of arenas under adult control. Whether or not gender differences were detected depended on the aspect of conduct problems considered. The associations between risk factors and "theft and vandalism" and "school opposition" were stronger for boys than for girls. No gender differences were detected in the associations between and risk factors and "covert behaviour". Even though there were gender differences in the strength of these associations, the same risk factors seem to be relevant in explaining conduct problems for both gender groups.