Citation

Boisjoli R, Vitaro F, Lacourse E, Barker ED, Tremblay RE. Br. J. Psychiatry 2007; 191: 415-419.

Affiliation

Research Unit on Children's Psychosocial Maladjustment, University of Montreal, 3050 Edouard-Montpetit Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. rachel.boisjoli@umontreal.ca

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Royal College of Psychiatry)

DOI

10.1192/bjp.bp.106.030007

PMID

17978321

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Many intervention programmes have attempted to reduce disruptive behaviour problems during early childhood to prevent maladjustment during adolescence and adulthood. AIMS: To assess the long-term impact and clinical significance of a 2-year multicomponent preventive intervention on criminal behaviour and academic achievement, using intention-to-treat analyses. METHOD: Targeted disruptive-aggressive boys considered to be at risk of later criminality and low school achievement (n=250), identified from a community sample (n=895), were randomly allocated to an intervention or a control group. The rest of the sample (n=645) served as the low-risk group. The intervention was multimodal and aimed at boys, parents and teachers. Official data measured both outcomes. RESULTS: Significantly more boys in the intervention group (13%; P<0.05) completed high-school graduation and generally fewer (11%; P=0.06) had a criminal record compared with those allocated to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that early preventive intervention for those at high risk of antisocial behaviour is likely to benefit both the individuals concerned and society.

Language: en