Continuity of psychopathology in youths referred to mental health services.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the stability and predictive strength of behavioral and emotional problems in childhood and adolescence.

METHOD

A referred sample (N = 1,652), aged 4 to 18 years at initial assessment, was followed up after a mean interval of 6.2 years. Problem scores derived from Child Behavior Checklist, Youth Self-Report, and Teacher's Report Form at initial assessment (T1) were related to scores on the same instruments at follow-up (T2).

RESULTS

Correlations between T1 and corresponding T2 problem scores averaged 0.41 intrainformant (range 0.22-0.61) and 0.22 interinformant (range -0.09-0.57). Stabilities were similar across gender, and larger for Externalizing versus Internalizing scores, except on youths' self-reports. Psychopathology scores at follow-up were predicted by corresponding T1 scores. Girls were predicted to have higher T2 Somatic Complaints, Anxious/Depressed, Thought Problems, and Internalizing scores than boys. Children younger at intake were predicted to have higher scores than older children on T2 Social and Attention Problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings indicate continuity of specific behavioral and emotional problems in clinically referred children and adolescents.