Early Predictors of Adolescent Irritability

Abstract

Limited research has examined precursors/risk factors for adolescent irritability. This study examines continuity of irritability from early childhood to adolescence and identifies antecedents of adolescent irritability. Across self-reports and mother-reports, evidence was found for continuity of irritability. A range of variables assessed at age 3 predicted irritability at age 15. These findings suggest that adolescent irritability is characterized by distinct developmental pathways from age 3 that have potential to result in an irritable phenotype at age 15. Adolescent-reported and mother-reported irritability may be capturing distinct underlying constructs of irritability; both should be considered in assessments of adolescent irritability.

Keywords: Adolescence; Development; Early risk; Irritability.