Outcomes of conduct problems in adolescence: 40 year follow-up of national cohort.
OBJECTIVE
To describe long term outcomes associated with externalising behaviour in adolescence, defined in this study as conduct problems reported by a teacher, in a population based sample.


METHODS
Longitudinal study from age 13-53.


METHODS
The Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development (the British 1946 birth cohort).


METHODS
3652 survey members assessed by their teachers for symptoms of externalising behaviour at age 13 and 15.


METHODS
Mental disorder, alcohol abuse, relationship difficulties, highest level of education, social class, unemployment, and financial difficulties at ages 36-53.


RESULTS
348 adolescents were identified with severe externalising behaviour, 1051 with mild externalising behaviour, and 2253 with no externalising behaviour. All negative outcomes measured in adulthood were more common in those with severe or mild externalising behaviour in adolescence, as rated by teachers, compared with those with no externalising behaviour. Adolescents with severe externalising behaviour were more likely to leave school without any qualifications (65.2%; adjusted odds ratio 4.0, 95% confidence interval 2.9 to 5.5), as were those with mild externalising behaviour (52.2%; 2.3, 1.9 to 2.8), compared with those with no externalising behaviour (30.8%). On a composite measure of global adversity throughout adulthood that included mental health, family life and relationships, and educational and economic problems, those with severe externalising behaviour scored significantly higher (40.1% in top quarter), as did those with mild externalising behaviour (28.3%), compared with those with no externalising behaviour (17.0%).


CONCLUSIONS
Adolescents who exhibit externalising behaviour experience multiple social and health impairments that adversely affect them, their families, and society throughout adult life.
Colman
Ian
I
School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 13-130D Clinical Sciences Building, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2G3. ian.colman@ualberta.ca
Murray
Joseph
J
Abbott
Rosemary A
RA
Maughan
Barbara
B
Kuh
Diana
D
Croudace
Tim J
TJ
Jones
Peter B
PB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult