Impact of antisocial lifestyle on health: chronic disability and death by middle age

Abstract

Background: An antisocial lifestyle is associated with injury but also with less organic illness up to the age of 32. It is not known if these associations persist into the fifth decade.

Methods: Injury and illness data were collected prospectively in the longitudinal Cambridge study in delinquent development at age 43-48. Hypotheses were that childhood predictors of antisocial behaviour and offending and antisocial behaviour at ages up to 32 would be associated with poorer health at age 48.

Results: Childhood and parental predictors of offending, self-reported delinquency at age 32 and convictions were significantly associated with death and disability by age 48. A model comprising three factors: any antisocial behaviour and any parental risk factor at age 8-10 and any antisocial behaviour at age 27-32 best discriminated death or disability. Two factors: conviction between ages 10-18 and any antisocial behaviour at age 8-10 discriminated almost as well.

Conclusions: Death and disability by age 48 were strongly associated with antisocial behaviour at ages 8-10 and 27-32, convictions and impulsivity during adolescence and parental predictors of offending at age 8-10. Preventing childhood and adolescent antisocial behaviour and offending may also prolong life and prevent disability among those who would otherwise offend.