COMORBIDITY OF CONDUCT AND DEPRESSIVE PROBLEMS AT 6TH GRADE - SUBSTANCE USE OUTCOMES ACROSS ADOLESCENCE

The comorbidity of conduct and depressive problems and substance use o utcomes were examined in a community-based sample of 340 African Ameri can males and females. Alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use were examin ed at Grades 6, 8, and 10 based on the following group membership at s ixth grade: (a) comorbid conduct and depressive problems; (b) conduct problems only; (c) depressive problems only; (d) neither conduct nor d epressive problems. Overall, the two conduct problem groups displayed the highest levels of substance use, although at some time points, com orbid youth displayed significant higher substance use levels. Subject s with depressive problems only displayed levels of substance use that were equivalent to subjects in the nonproblem group. Results highligh t the importance of controlling for comorbid symptoms, possible intera ctive effects between conduct and depressive problems, and implication s for treatment and prevention of substance use.