Early preschool predictors of preadolescent internalizing and externalizing DSM-IV diagnoses

Objective: To investigate the independent predictive value of parent-report ed psychopathology and family risk factors in early preschool in relation t o parent-reported internalizing and externalizing psychopathology in preado lescence, Method: Subjects were participants in a longitudinal study of 420 two- to three-year-olds from the general population of Zuid-Holland, the N etherlands, which started in 1989. At a second follow-up 8 years later (age s 10-11 years), 358 children participated. For this study, 332 children wer e included for whom DSM-IV diagnoses (derived from the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children-Version 4-Parent Version) were obtained at age 10 to 11 years. Preschool risk factors were obtained through the Child Behavior Checklist for ages 2 to 3 years and a parent interview. Results: Early pres chool internalizing and externalizing problems were predictive of their DSM -IV counterparts 8 years later, independent of the influence of early paren t-reported family risk factors. Preschool child physical problems were inde pendently predictive of both internalizing and externalizing diagnoses in p readolescence. Of the environmental risk factors, only stressful life event s contributed independently to the prediction of later externalizing proble ms. Conclusion: Early adverse family circumstances and parenting characteri stics do not contribute to the prediction of later psychopathology once chi ld characteristics are accounted for.