Early Life Adversity as a Potent Source of Developmental Risk

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract

The developmental and life-course perspectives have become mainstays in the field of criminology. Despite the popularity of these perspectives, a significant portion of the theoretical and empirical development within these particular areas of research has focused more heavily on the latter stages of the life course, namely adolescence and adulthood (along with the transition between these two stages). Despite the progress made in these areas, far less attention is currently granted to earlier stages of the life course. This panel presents research focused on the influence of early life adversity on the etiological development of detrimental outcomes. Early life adversity in this context is broadly defined and includes experiences related to pre- and perinatal risk factors, adverse experiences in early childhood, and contextual environments related to developmental outcomes. This research emphasizes the importance of considering early stages of the life course in future research and theoretical development within developmental and life course criminology. Additional theoretical and methodological issues are presented and discussed in more detail.

Sub Unit

• Area III. Theoretical Explanations of Crime and Criminal Behavior / 4. Developmental and Life Course Perspectives

Division of Special Interest

• Divisions of Special Interest / Division of Developmental/Life-Course Criminology

Individual Presentations

• Prenatal Health, Cognitive Deficits, and Criminal Offending: An Extension of Moffitt's Life-Course-Persistent Offending Hypothesis - Eric J Connolly, Sam Houston State University

• The Association between Adverse Housing Conditions and Early-Onset Delinquency - Dylan B. Jackson, University of Texas San Antonio

• Assessing the Relationship Between Childhood, Adolescent, and Concurrent Victimization with Handgun Ownership in Adulthood: A Genetically Sensitive Longitudinal Analysis - Joseph L Nedelec, University of Cincinnati

• Early Life Adversity and Adverse Developmental Outcomes: Genetically-Informed Results from Two Nationally-Representative Samples from the United States - Joseph A. Schwartz, University of Nebraska at Omaha

Chair

• Joseph A. Schwartz, University of Nebraska at Omaha