Examining interpersonal conflict resolution among persistently antisocial youth – Is this a key mechanism implicated in the persistence of antisocial behaviour?

Abstract

This study utilised data and interviewed participants (n = 138), aged 22–23 years from the Australian Temperament Project, which is a prospective national longitudinal study that has tracked pathways of antisocial behaviour and psychosocial adjustment from infancy to young adulthood. Gender- and group-related differences in interpersonal conflict resolution of young adults with differing histories of antisocial behaviour (namely high-risk persistently antisocial, low-risk persistently antisocial and non-antisocial groups) were examined, as measured by a modified version of the conflict tactics scale. The study findings show that both the high-risk and low-risk persistently antisocial groups reported higher levels of physically aggressive strategies than the non-antisocial group. The high-risk group also reported higher levels of non-physically aggressive strategies in resolving interpersonal conflict. Interestingly, young adult females reported higher levels of non-physical tactics in dealing with interpersonal conflict in their interpersonal relationships than young adult males. No gender differences were found in relation to physically aggressive strategies. This study suggests that the level of risk for persistent antisocial behaviour was significantly related to differences in interpersonal conflict resolution in young adulthood.