Citation

Fombonne E, Wostear G, Cooper V, Harrington R, Rutter M. Br. J. Psychiatry 2001; 179: 218-223.

Affiliation

Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Royal College of Psychiatry)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11532798

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Strong links exist between juvenile and adult depression, but comorbid conduct disorder may be associated with worse adult social difficulties. AIMS: To test the impact of comorbid conduct disorder on social adjustment and dysfunction, suicidality and criminality of adults who had had depression as youths. METHOD: Subjects (n=149) assessed at the Maudsley Hospital in 1970-1983 and meeting DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder with (CD-MDD; n=53) or without (MDD; n=96) conduct disorder were interviewed 20 years later. Data were collected on lifetime psychiatric disorders and adult social/personality functioning. Death certificates and criminal records were obtained. RESULTS: The suicide risk was 2.45%, and 44.3% of the sample had attempted suicide once in their lives. Compared with the MDD group, the CD-MDD group had higher rates of suicidal behaviours and criminal offences, and exhibited more pervasive social dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent depression is associated with raised risks of adult suicidality and with persistent interpersonal difficulties. Youths with CD-MDD show more severe and pervasive social dysfunction.

Language: en