A natural history of hyperactivity and conduct problems: self-reported outcome

Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2000 Mar;9(1):26-38. doi: 10.1007/s007870050113.

Abstract

At the age of 16-18 years, outcome was prospectively assessed in a general population sample of four behavioural groups, defined at 6-7 year old: a pure pervasively hyperactive group (N = 31), a mixed hyperactive conduct problem group (N = 20), a pure conduct problem group (N = 18) and a normal control group (N = 29). The objective of the present paper is to describe outcome in those domains for which self-report is recognised as a valid source of information. Differential effects for hyperactivity and conduct problems on outcome were studied. It was found that early hyperactivity and conduct problems predicted different patterns of conduct problems in adolescence. Drug use in adolescence was not predicted by either type of behavioural problem in childhood. Overall social adjustment was worse in the hyperactive groups, whereas no differences in self-esteem were found. Hyperactivity was a strong predictor of relationships problems in adolescence. The results suggest that hyperactivity and conduct problems in childhood are differential predictors of outcome in adolescence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Affective Symptoms / diagnosis
  • Affective Symptoms / epidemiology
  • Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnosis*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Child Behavior Disorders / diagnosis
  • Child Behavior Disorders / epidemiology
  • Comorbidity
  • Conduct Disorder / diagnosis*
  • Conduct Disorder / epidemiology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • London / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / statistics & numerical data
  • Research Design
  • Self Concept
  • Smoking / epidemiology
  • Social Adjustment
  • Substance-Related Disorders / diagnosis
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Wechsler Scales / statistics & numerical data