The persistence of psychiatric deviance from the age of 8 to the age of 15 years

Background : Earlier research has shown that psychiatric problems in children tend to persist over years. This investigation assessed the persistence of psychiatric deviance among children over a 7-year period from the age of 8 to the age of 15 years. We also explored the relationship between problems leading to special attention at the well-baby clinics before school age and future psychiatric deviance. Methods : The study material consisted of three questionnaires filled out by the parents, teachers and children themselves ( N = 1268) at three time points, together with data concerning the children gathered from the records of well-baby clinics. Results : At the age of 15 years, girls scored higher than boys on the parental scale and on the Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), while boys scored higher than girls on the teachers' scale. Parental ratings had a high correlation over 3 years and a moderate correlation over 7 years. Teachers' and children's ratings correlated moderately over 3 years, but did not correlate significantly over 7 years. The probability of being deviant at the age of 15 years was elevated if the child scored high on the parents' or teachers' scale at the age of 8 or 12 years, or on the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) at the age of 12 years. Problems noted by health professionals (problems in growth, somatic diseases, emotional/behavioural problems of the child, psychosocial problems of the family) before school age were related to future deviance on the parental scale. Emotional/behavioural problems before school age elevated the probability of scoring high on the teachers' scale at the age of 15, and problems in psychomotor development elevated the probability of scoring high on the BDI. Conclusions : Psychiatric deviance is persistent over several years in children. Primary health care professionals can identify children who are at risk for future psychiatric problems.