About the most robust finding in the area of antisocial behaviour is that it is more common in males than in females. This book examines this gender difference in detail and considers its implications for understanding the underlying causes of antisocial behaviour. It presents findings from the Dunedin Longitudinal Study, which followed a cohort of 1000 New Zealand males and females over the first two decades of life. The findings are presented in a clear, well-organised way, with useful discussion and bullet-point ‘take-home messages’ at the end of each chapter.

The study finds no difference in the causes of antisocial behaviour between the genders and no evidence to support the hypothesis that females must pass a higher threshold of risk to develop a disorder. The genders differ most on the more serious life-course-persistent pattern of antisocial behaviour. This pattern is rare in women, with a ratio of 10 men to one woman in the study cohort. The majority of females who engage in antisocial behaviour fit the adolescence-limited pattern and the gender ratio here is much lower (1.5 males to 1 female). Individual neurodevelopmental factors — specifically, neurocognitive deficits, undercontrolled temperament, weak constraint and hyperactivity — are identified as key to understanding life-course-persistent antisocial behaviour. The fact that these neurodevelopmental risk factors occur more frequently in males is used to explain the male preponderance of this pattern of antisocial behaviour.

Three exceptions to the general rule that antisocial behaviour is more common in males than in females are identified: (a) around the time of female puberty, the incidence and prevalence of female conduct disorder rises to give the narrowest gap between the genders seen at any stage in the life cycle; (b) males and females are similar in their drug- and alcohol-related offences; and (c) in intimate relationships, where male violence is at least equalled by female violence.

The authors identify two priority areas for future research. First, we need to know more about the neurodevelopmental problems, their origins, why they are more common in males and how they interrelate and influence development over time, in order to develop a greater understanding of life-course-persistent antisocial behaviour. The interesting question is raised of whether this pattern ought to be viewed as a developmental neuropsychiatric disorder. Second, we need research into how the specific social contexts of puberty that are associated with substance misuse and intimate relationships promote similarity in antisocial behaviour between the genders. This would be more revealing than the continuing focus on how gender-stereotyped socialisation promotes differences between males and females.

This book presents complex research findings in a stimulating, accessible style. Its findings, particularly in relation to the importance of neurodevelopmental difficulties, are of direct relevance to both clinicians and researchers.