The predictors of competence in an adolescent sample - A 15-year follow-up study

In this longitudinal study the effects of early risk factors, early intervention, and present family factors on the competence of 14- to 15-year-old adolescents were evaluated. The competence was assessed by using Achenbach's parent and youth reports' competence parts describing social behaviour and academic achievement. The material consisted of 160 families, which were classified with a risk index into low- and high-risk groups during the child's first 6 months. Half of the families attended a 5-year family counselling program. The results of this study showed that the early risk factors made the strongest contribution to the social competence of 14- to 15-year-old adolescents. These results imply that good interactions in the family during early development foster social competence in adolescence.