Situational and generalised conduct problems and later life outcomes: evidence from a New Zealand birth cohort.

BACKGROUND

There is considerable evidence suggesting that many children show conduct problems that are specific to a given context (home; school). What is less well understood is the extent to which children with situation-specific conduct problems show similar outcomes to those with generalised conduct problems.

METHODS

Data were gathered as part of the Christchurch Health and Development Study, a 25-year longitudinal study of a birth cohort of New Zealand children. Information was obtained on: (a) conduct problems during the period 7-9 years; (b) criminal offending during the period 16-25 years; (c) measures of DSM-IV mental disorders and suicidal behaviour over the interval 16-25 years; (d) measures of DSM-IV substance dependence over the interval 16-25 years; and (e) measures of relationship, pregnancy, and parenthood outcomes during the period 16-25 years.

RESULTS

Latent-class modelling suggested three distinct groups of children with conduct problems: those with mother reports; those with teacher reports; and those with both mother and teacher reports. Both situation-specific and generalised conduct disorder were associated with increased risk of criminal offending, mental health disorders, substance dependence, and relationship and parenthood issues in late adolescence and early adulthood.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need for recognition of the significance of situation-specific conduct problems in both developmental theory and in the treatment of childhood conduct disorders. A focus only on those children with generalised conduct problems is likely to overlook the features and needs of children whose conduct problems are confined to a specific context.