First, we tested whether children following a life-course persistent (LCP) trajectory of conduct problems consume a disproportionately higher amount of public services in adulthood compared to their peers following other conduct-problem trajectories. Children on the LCP trajectory are at increased risk for a wide array of mental and physical health problems throughout their late twenties and thirties (Moffitt et al., 2002; Odgers et al., 2007; Piquero et al., 2007, 2011). By age 32, Dunedin study members following the LCP pathway had elevated mental and physical health problems, including elevated markers of inflammation, sexually transmitted disease, symptoms of chronic bronchitis, self-reported smoking, nicotine dependence, and serious injuries (Odgers et al., 2007). Due to their increased risk of health and behavioral problems, individuals on the LCP pathway may be expected to use more than their share of health and public services. However, it is also possible that those on the LCP pathway, who may also be socially marginalized due to their behavior or background, would consequently leave a smaller footprint than expected on public services (Lawrence & Kisely, 2010).
