WP3 GUTSGO 

What factors contribute to the increased risk of antisocial behavior in youth, and more importantly, what explains why most of them desist when they grow older? In the Growing Up Together in Society (GUTS) research program, we aim to answer these vital questions from a biopsychosocial perspective in a longitudinal cohort study.

Work Package 3, ‘GUTSGO’, focuses on predicting and understanding behavior that negatively affects society: antisocial behavior, In GUTSGO, we will connect brain science at the individual level with the societal context to identify whether and which self-regulatory mechanisms shape early developmental pathways, and how high risks can be reduced. 

Why Some At-Risk Youth Desist from Antisocial Behaviour

The GUTSGO cohort specifically focuses on youth at risk who have difficulties in pursuing personal and societal goals. The main objective of this study is to explore why, even though youth who have an early onset of antisocial behavior, amongst other initial high-risk factors, most adolescents do not continue to display antisocial behavior. We will examine the social, contextual, biological, and behavioural mechanisms involved in the persistence or desistance of antisocial behavior, with a focus on the role of self-regulation, empathy and trust. We aim to assess the impact on adolescents’ functioning in various societal contexts, including educational settings, social relationships, and adherence to societal norms.

Longitudinal Study Design

To understand these processes over time, we follow a large high-risk cohort in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Flevoland, as well as smaller municipalities, to get a good overview of the society. In total, 200 young people aged 10 to 16 will be studied across three waves of data collection over a 10-year period.

Timeline and Expected Outcomes

The first wave will be completed at the end of 2026. In the coming years, the research team will prepare the next waves (2028 and 2030), and begin publishing the first results, offering new insights into how early opportunities shape social and educational pathways and how inequalities can be reduced.

WP3:

• Lucres Nauta-Jansen
• Arne Popma
• Valeria Gazzola
• Eveline Crone
• Jeroen van der Waal
• Christian Keysers
• Ilse van de Groep
• Michelle Achterberg
• Carmen Silva Sergiou
• Nick Adrian
• Carmen Mendes de Leon
• Anouk van Zwieten