Attention problems versus conduct problems as 6-year predictors of signs of disturbance in a national sample

To test whether attention problems predicted different signs of disturbance than conduct problems over 3 and 6 years.

Gender-specific criteria for deviance on parents' ratings of attention versus conduct problems were tested as predictors of interview-reported signs of disturbance in a national sample first assessed at ages 4 to 16 years.

Males and females deviant on both attention and conduct problems showed higher rates of several signs of disturbance than did those deviant on only one type of problem. Subjects deviant only on conduct problems showed higher rates of several signs than did controls, whereas those deviant only on attention problems exceeded controls mainly on special education services. Unaggressive "delinquent" conduct problems predicted dropping out of school, unwed pregnancy, and total signs for both genders during transitions to adulthood.

Attention problems predict receipt of special education but contribute much less than conduct problems to predicting other signs of disturbance. Differential assessment of aggressive versus unaggressive conduct problems can improve prediction, as can gender specificity in setting criteria for deviance and in testing outcomes.