Reduced Sleep as a Risk Factor for Antisocial and Criminal Behavior

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract

Cross-sectional studies have been increasingly documenting evidence for a relationship between sleep problems and antisocial behavior in children and adolescents. Nevertheless, there are significant gaps in this growing literature. First, there are very few studies on adult criminal behavior. Second, longitudinal studies are scarce – do sleep problems predispose to antisocial behavior, or does antisocial behavior predispose to sleep problems? Third, within populations of children with externalizing behavior problems, does the sleep – antisocial behavior relationship hold up? Fourth, is there evidence that manipulation of sleep alters antisocial / aggressive behavior – is this relationship causal? The four presentations in this panel will address each of these issues in turn. Broader issues will be drawn based on these findings. Have criminologists been asleep on the job? Should we wake up to the promise of improving sleep in drowsy teenagers to reduce later offending? Or are thoughts of such interventions a pipe-dream that require much stronger experimental support?

Sub Unit

• Area III. Theoretical Explanations of Crime and Criminal Behavior / 1. Biological, Bio-Social and Psychological Perspectives

Individual Presentations

• Childhood Sleep Problems Predispose to Adult Crime - Adrian Raine, University of Pennsylvania; Peter Venables, University of York

• A Longitudinal Examination of Sleep and Externalizing Behavior - Olga Tkachenko, University of Pennsylvania; Adrian Raine, University of Pennsylvania; Laura Baker, University of Southern California

• Effects of Sleep Problems on Internalizing and Externalizing Problems in Youth with Externalizing Disorders. - Andrea Glenn, University of Alabama; Adrian Raine, University of Pennsylvania

• Aggression and Lost Sleep: A Daylight Saving Time Natural Experiment - Rebecca Umbach, University of Pennsylvania; Greg Ridegeway, University of Pennsylvania; Adrian Raine, University of Pennsylvania

Chair

• Adrian Raine, University of Pennsylvania

Discussant

• Greg Ridegeway, University of Pennsylvania