Citation

Windle M. J. Stud. Alcohol 1993; 54(4): 422-431.

Affiliation

Research Institute on Addictions, Buffalo, New York 14203.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1993, Rutgers Center of Alcohol Studies)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8341044

Abstract

Confirmatory factor analysis was used to support the dimensional structure of a four-factor retrospective measure of childhood behavior problems with a large, nonclinical adolescent sample. Acceptable levels of internal consistency and low-to-moderate levels of parent-adolescent interrater agreement were indicated for the four factors of attentional deficit/hyperactivity, oppositional behavior, conduct disorder symptoms and avoidance behaviors. The externalizing childhood problems (i.e., attentional deficit/hyperactivity, oppositional behavior, conduct disorder) were associated significantly with both internalizing (depression) and externalizing (e.g., alcohol consumption, delinquent activity) adolescent problem behaviors, as well as with an earlier age of onset for substance use. Avoidant behaviors in childhood were associated specifically with depressive symptomatology in adolescence. Results are discussed with regard to the role of childhood problems as precursors to adolescent/adult disorders.

Language: en