This study of 400 adolescents (age 15) builds on a longitudinal data base collected beginning at entry to kindergarten. Specific risk variables in the domains of health, behavior and family characteristics have been linked to behavioral and academic problems at age 9. Over-all objectives include assessment of the stability of earlier behavioral and academic problems in adolescence as well as the role of current mediating factors that may ameliorate or exacerbate problematic outcomes. Since young adolescents are vulnerable to mental health problems, including depression as well as antisocial behavior, the identification of mediators of these outcomes can provide guidelines to programs of intervention.
Specific aims are to: (1) describe patterns of continuity and change in attention, anxiety and academic performance of the study cohort over the 10-year time span of the study (ages 5, 6, 9 and 15); (2) assess the effects of past behavior problems and academic performance identified at earlier periods on current adolescent functioning; (3) assess the effects of previously identified risk factors at pre-kindergarten and kindergarten on current attention and anxiety problems and academic functioning at age 15; and (4) examine the relative contributions of past risk and current mediating variables on behavioral and academic functioning at 15. Mediating variables will include family characteristics, the social environment, and the adolescent's perceived social status. Specific hypotheses will be tested for each of the four aims.
These aims are addressed by interviewing the adolescents and their mothers utilizing a battery of standardized instruments and semi-structured interviews. Analyses directed towards accomplishing the specific aims will include univariate and bivariate techniques as well as methods of random effects models, logistic regression, log-linear techniques and structural equation models to test the specific hypotheses posed. The knowledge to be gained from this study has direct application to planning programs of prevention and treatment of mental health problems of adolescents.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01MH041569-04
Application #
3380254
Study Section
Epidemiologic and Services Research Review Committee (EPS)
Project Start
1987-01-01
Project End
1992-12-31
Budget Start
1990-02-01
Budget End
1990-12-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1990
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Simmons College
Department
Type
Schools of Social Work
DUNS #
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115
Paradis, Angela D; Giaconia, Rose M; Reinherz, Helen Z et al. (2011) Adolescent Family Factors Promoting Healthy Adult Functioning: A Longitudinal Community Study. Child Adolesc Ment Health 16:30-37
Tanner, Jennifer L; Reinherz, Helen Z; Beardslee, William R et al. (2007) Change in prevalence of psychiatric disorders from ages 21 to 30 in a community sample. J Nerv Ment Dis 195:298-306
Reinherz, Helen Z; Tanner, Jennifer L; Berger, Sasha R et al. (2006) Adolescent suicidal ideation as predictive of psychopathology, suicidal behavior, and compromised functioning at age 30. Am J Psychiatry 163:1226-32
Paradis, Angela D; Reinherz, Helen Z; Giaconia, Rose M et al. (2006) Major depression in the transition to adulthood: the impact of active and past depression on young adult functioning. J Nerv Ment Dis 194:318-23
Reinherz, Helen Z; Paradis, Angela D; Giaconia, Rose M et al. (2003) Childhood and adolescent predictors of major depression in the transition to adulthood. Am J Psychiatry 160:2141-7
Giaconia, R M; Reinherz, H Z; Paradis, A D et al. (2001) Major depression and drug disorders in adolescence: general and specific impairments in early adulthood. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 40:1426-33
Reinherz, H Z; Giaconia, R M; Hauf, A M et al. (2000) General and specific childhood risk factors for depression and drug disorders by early adulthood. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 39:223-31
Giaconia, R M; Reinherz, H Z; Hauf, A C et al. (2000) Comorbidity of substance use and post-traumatic stress disorders in a community sample of adolescents. Am J Orthopsychiatry 70:253-62
Frost, A K; Reinherz, H Z; Pakiz-Camras, B et al. (1999) Risk factors for depressive symptoms in late adolescence: a longitudinal community study. Am J Orthopsychiatry 69:370-81
Reinherz, H Z; Giaconia, R M; Hauf, A M et al. (1999) Major depression in the transition to adulthood: risks and impairments. J Abnorm Psychol 108:500-10

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