Externalizing behavior problems and academic underachievement in childhood and adolescence: Causal relationships and underlying mechanisms.

Abstract

Conceptual and measurement issues surrounding externalizing behavior problems and academic underachievement, the strength and specificity of the covariation between these domains, and the viability of explanatory models that link these areas are reviewed. In childhood, inattention and hyperactivity are stronger correlates of academic problems than is aggression; by adolescence, however, antisocial behavior and delinquency are clearly associated with underachievement. Whereas investigations with designs that allow accurate causal inference are scarce, unidirectional paths from 1 domain to the other have received little support. Indeed, the overlap of externalizing problems with cognitive and readiness deficits early in development suggests the influence of antecedent variables. Low socioeconomic status, family adversity, subaverage IQ, language deficits, and neurodevelopmental delay are explored as possible underlying factors.

Cites (5)

1. Child/adolescent behavioral and emotional problems: Implications of cross-informant correlations for situational specificity.
   Achenbach, Thomas M., McConaughy, Stephanie H., Howell, Catherine T. · 1987 · Psychological Bulletin
2. The nature of phonological processing and its causal role in the acquisition of reading skills
   Wagner, Richard K., Torgesen, Joseph K. · 1987 · Psychological Bulletin
3. A developmental perspective on antisocial behavior
   Patterson, G. R., DeBaryshe, Barbara D., Ramsey, Elizabeth · 1989 · American Psychologist
4. Hyperactive Boys Almost Grown Up: I. Psychiatric Status
   Gittelman, Rachel · 1985 · Archives of General Psychiatry
5. Developmental psychopathology: Some thoughts on its evolution
   Cicchetti, Dante · 1989 · Development and Psychopathology

Show all 5 references

Cited by (98)

1. Behavioral inhibition, sustained attention, and executive functions: Constructing a unifying theory of ADHD.
   Barkley, Russell A. · 1997 · Psychological Bulletin
2. School readiness and later achievement.
   Duncan, Greg J., Dowsett, Chantelle J., Claessens, Amy, Magnuson, Katherine, Huston, Aletha C., Klebanov, Pamela, Pagani, Linda S., Feinstein, Leon, Engel, Mimi, Brooks-Gunn, Jeanne et al. · 2007 · Developmental Psychology
3. A 14-Month Randomized Clinical Trial of Treatment Strategies for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
   1999 · Archives of General Psychiatry
4. Untitled work
   2009
5. Social relationships and motivation in middle school: The role of parents, teachers, and peers.
   Wentzel, Kathryn R. · 1998 · Journal of Educational Psychology

See all 1,632