Associations between behavioural and emotional problems in adolescence and maladjustment in young adulthood

This study was designed to investigate associations between emotional and behavioural problems in adolescence and psychopathology in young adulthood. Seven hundred and six 11- to 16-year olds from the Dutch general population were followed across a period of 8 years and 8 months. Subjects were initially assessed using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). At follow-up, a subsample of 131 subjects were assessed for DSM-III-R Axis 1 diagnoses with the SCAN (a semi-structured interview), while the Global Assessment of Functioning scale and the Groningen Social Disabilities Schedule were used to assess functioning in daily life. Scores on the CBCL scales Withdrawn, Anxious/Depressed, Somatic Complaints, Social Problems and Thought Problems in adolescence were associated with DSM-III-R symptomatology or dysfunctioning in young adulthood. The present study indicated that specific behavioural and emotional problems during adolescence are connected with psychopathology and maladjustment during young adulthood. (C) 1999 The Association for Professionals in Services for Adolescents.