Continuity of psychopathology in youths referred to mental health services

Objective: To investigate the stability and predictive strength of behavior al and emotional problems in childhood and adolescence. Method: A referred sample (N = 1,652), aged 4 to 18 years at initial assessment, was followed up after a mean interval of 6.2 years. Problem scores derived from Child Be havior Checklist, Youth Self-Report, and Teacher's Report Form at initial a ssessment (T-1) were related to scores on the same instruments at follow-up (T-2). Results: Correlations between T-1 and corresponding T-2 problem sco res averaged 0.41 intrainformant (range 0.22-0.61) and 0.22 interinformant (range -0.09-0.57). Stabilities were similar across gender, and larger for Externalizing versus Internalizing scores, except on youths' self-reports. Psychopathology scores at follow-up were predicted by corresponding T-1 sco res. Girls were predicted to have higher T-2 Somatic Complaints, Anxious/De pressed, Thought Problems, and Internalizing scores than boys. Children you nger at intake were predicted to have higher scores than older children on T-2 Social and Attention Problems. Conclusions: Findings indicate continuit y of specific behavioral and emotional problems in clinically referred chil dren and adolescents.