[Persistence of psychological disorders in children 5-6 years of age to 10-11 years of age--a longitudinal study].

The sample covered 196 + 20 families and their children born between 1.7.1975-30.6.1976. The purpose of this study was to investigate the persistence of preschool aged childrens mental disturbances and to see what kind of problems show most stability. When the children of this sample were 5-6 years old their mental development was assessed by a child psychiatrist and a psychologist. Children were regarded as mentally normal or slightly or clearly disturbed. In addition children who showed mental symptoms were divided on the bases of the nature of their symptoms to emotionally disturbed and ego disturbed (conduct problems). When the children were at the age of 10-11 years the parents were sent a questionnaire designed by Rutter to find those children who had at that time mental problems. The children were sent a CDI-questionnaire, which measures the depression in children. According to the results of this study the mental disturbances in preschool age showed strong stability until the age of 10-11 years. Emotional disturbances at the preschool age predicted more later problems than conduct problems.