ADOLESCENT PROBLEM BEHAVIORS AS PREDICTORS OF ADULT ALCOHOL DIAGNOSES

Young adult alcohol problems based on DIS/DSM III diagnoses were predi cted from a number of adolescent risky/antisocial behaviors in a sampl e of 693 subjects. The number of times an individual was intoxicated b efore his/her sixteenth birthday was the best indicator of adult alcoh ol ''abuse'' and/or dependence, with adolescent fighting, arrests, and lack of participation in religious activities also serving as importa nt problem behavior predictors. Results of correlational and principal -components analyses of adolescent problem behaviors are similar to pr evious work on Problem Behavior Theory. The results suggest that preve ntion efforts should begin before adolescence, prior to the time when individuals are exposed to, or begin practicing, adult health-threaten ing activities.