POOR READERS IN ADULTHOOD - PSYCHOSOCIAL FUNCTIONING

Samples of poor and normal readers were followed into early adulthood to assess the implications of childhood reading difficulties for the t ransition to adulthood, and for early adult psychosocial functioning. Some group differences were found in patterns of early adult transitio ns, and, for women only, on wider measures of early adult functioning. Global self-esteem in adulthood did not differ between the childhood reading groups, and there were few marked variations in vulnerability to later psychiatric disorder. The findings are discussed in regard to differing developmental pathways for problems in adult functioning, a nd the possible role of contextual changes in enabling more positive f unctioning for many childhood poor readers.