Cited by 946Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional DevelopmentPsychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual OffendingCrime Patterns and Interventions

Show me the child at seven: the consequences of conduct problems in childhood for psychosocial functioning in adulthood

Fergusson, David M., John Horwood, L., Ridder, Elizabeth M.·2005·Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry

Abstract

Background: This paper seeks to extend research into the adult sequelae of childhood conduct problems by investigating the associations between conduct problems in middle childhood and psychosocial outcomes in adulthood. Method: Data were gathered during the course of a 25‐year longitudinal study of a birth cohort of New Zealand young people. Information was collected on: a) parent and teacher reports of child conduct problems at ages 7, 8 and 9 years; b) measures of crime, substance use, mental health, sexual/partner relationships, education/employment; c) confounding factors, including childhood, family and educational characteristics. Results: There were statistically significant associations between childhood conduct problems from 7–9 years and risks of adverse outcomes across all domains of functioning. After control for confounding factors the associations between conduct problems and education/employment outcomes became statistically non‐significant. Associations persisted for other outcomes (crime, substance dependence, mental health and sexual/partner relationships). Children in the most disturbed 5% of the cohort had rates of these outcomes that were between 1.5 and 19 times higher than rates for the least disturbed 50% of the cohort. The associations between conduct problems and adult outcomes were similar for males and females. Conclusions: Childhood conduct problems were associated with a wide range of adverse psychosocial outcomes (crime, substance use, mental health, sexual/partner relationships) even after control for confounding factors. The results reinforce the need for greater investment into interventions to address these problems.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00387.x

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Authors
Fergusson, D. M., John Horwood, L., & Ridder, E. M.
Corresponding author
Fergusson, David M.
Venue
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2005-03-08
Volume
46
Issue
8
Pages
837-849
ISSN
  • 0021-9630 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-7610
OpenAlex
W2043850857
Cited by
946
References
64
Citations by year
2026: 17 · 2025: 28 · 2024: 34 · 2023: 46 · 2022: 53 · 2021: 49 · 2020: 51 · 2019: 51 · 2018: 53 · 2017: 57 · 2016: 48 · 2015: 65 · 2014: 60 · 2013: 49 · 2012: 51
FWCI
32.85
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Crime Patterns and Interventions
Keywords
child conduct problems, middle childhood, crime, substance use, mental health, educational attainment, employment effects, long-term effects, birth cohort, gender differences
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Anxiety Disorders, Child, Crime, Demography, Major Depressive Disorder, Employment, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Sexual Behavior, Social Adjustment, Conduct Disorder, Substance-Related Disorders

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