Associations between behavioural and emotional problems in adolescence andmaladjustment in young adulthood

This study was designed to investigate associations between emotional and b ehavioural problems in adolescence and psychopathology in young adulthood. Seven hundred and six 11- to 16-year olds from the Dutch general population were followed across a period of 8 years and 8 months. Subjects were initi ally assessed using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). At follow-up, a s ubsample of 131 subjects were assessed for DSM-III-R Axis 1 diagnoses with the SCAN (a semi-structured interview), while the Global Assessment of Func tioning scale and the Groningen Social Disabilities Schedule were used to a ssess functioning in daily life. Scores on the CBCL scales Withdrawn, Anxious/Depressed, Somatic Complaints, Social Problems and Thought Problems in adolescence were associated with D SM-III-R symptomatology or dysfunctioning in young adulthood. The present study indicated that specific behavioural and emotional problem s during adolescence are connected with psychopathology and maladjustment d uring young adulthood. (C) 1999 The Association for Professionals in Servic es for Adolescents.