Kindergarten conduct problems are associated with monetized outcomes in adolescence and adulthood

• DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13837
• Publication Date: 2023-06-01T00:49:04Z
• Authors: Natalie Goulter; Yoon S. Hur; Damon E. Jones; Jennifer Godwin; Robert J. McMahon; Kenneth A. Dodge; Jennifer E. Lansford; John E. Lochman; John E. Bates; Gregory S. Pettit; D. Max Crowley
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Conduct Disorder; Problem Behavior; Adolescent; 4. Education; 16. Peace & justice; United States; 3. Good health; Humans; Educational Status; Female; Longitudinal Studies; Self Report; 10. No inequality; Child

Background Across several sites in the United States, we examined whether kindergarten conduct problems among mostly population‐representative samples of children were associated with increased criminal and related (criminal + lost offender productivity victim; described as victim hereafter) costs across adolescence adulthood, well government medical services adulthood. Methods Participants ( N = 1,339) from two multisite longitudinal studies: Fast Track n 754) Child Development Project 585). Parents teachers reported on problems, administrative national database records yielded indexes offending, participants self‐reported their service use. Outcomes assigned costs, significant associations adjusted for inflation to determine USD 2020 costs. Results A 1 SD increase was a $21,934 adolescent $63,998 adult $12,753 $146,279 total In male sample, $28,530 $58,872 $144,140 female $15,481 $62,916 $24,105 $144,823 Conclusions This investigation provides evidence long‐term early‐starting which is important information that can be used by policymakers support research programs investing strong start children.