Temperament and antisocial behavior in preadolescent boys with or without a family history of a substance use disorder

The goals of this study were to determine the relations between different dimensions of temperament, and their interactions, with antisocial behavior (ASB) in 351 preadolescent boys with (n = 175) or without (n = 176) a family history of a substance use disorder (SUD) and to determine whether these relations are moderated by a family history of SUD. Participants were administered the Revised Dimensions of Temperament Survey (DOTS-R) and multiple measures of ASB. Factor analysis reduced the DOTS-R subscales into three factors: Rhythmicity, Behavioral Regulation, and Positive Affectivity. Results indicated that above and beyond the effects of age and socioeconomic status, low rhythmicity, low behavioral regulation, and low positive affectivity, as well as some of their higher order interactive effects, are important indicators of different types of ASB and, in some cases, only in boys with a family history of SUD.