Kindergarten conduct problems are associated with criminal and victim monetized outcomes into adulthood.

Goulter, N., Hur, Y. S., Jones, D. E., Godwin, J., McMahon, R. J., Dodge, K. A., Lansford, J. E., Bates, J. E., Pettit, G. S., & Crowley, D. M. (under review). Kindergarten conduct problems are associated with criminal and victim monetized outcomes into adulthood.  

Abstract: Across several sites in the United States, we examined whether kindergarten conduct problems among mostly population-representative community children were associated with increased criminal and victim expenditures across adolescence and adulthood. Methods: Participants (N=1,339) were drawn from two multisite longitudinal studies: Fast Track (n=754) and the Child Development Project (n=585). Parents and teachers reported on kindergarten conduct problems, and criminal offending was determined from data collected through administrative court records and national criminal databases up to age 24 years. Applying USD 2011 prices, we examined criminal and criminal + victim costs across adolescence and adulthood. Significant associations were then monetized and adjusted for inflation to determine USD 2020 estimates of a one standard deviation (SD) increase in kindergarten conduct problems. We also examined sex differences. Results: Notably, in the full sample, a 1SD increase in kindergarten conduct problems was associated with a $6,584 increase in adolescent criminal + victim costs, and a $19,541 increase in adult criminal + victim costs. In the male sample, a 1SD increase in kindergarten conduct problems was associated with a $6,436 increase in adolescent criminal + victim costs, and a $25,063 increase in adult criminal + victim costs, whereas, in the female sample, a 1SD increase in kindergarten conduct problems was associated with a $8,135 increase in adolescent criminal + victim costs, and a $12,319 increase in adult criminal + victim costs. Conclusions: This investigation provides evidence of the long-term criminal and victimization costs associated with early-starting conduct problems, important information that can be used by policymakers to support programs investing in a strong start for children.

Keywords:
conduct problems, criminal expenditures, victim expenditures