Cross-setting consistency in early adolescent psychopathology: deviant friendships and problem behavior sequelae

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Adolescent Mental Health

Background:

• Adolescent psychopathology presents challenges in understanding its developmental trajectories.
• Differentiating between internalizing and externalizing behaviors is crucial for targeted interventions.
• Assessing behavior across multiple settings (home and school) provides a comprehensive view of adolescent adjustment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine adult reports of externalizing and internalizing psychopathology in high-risk adolescents.
• To identify distinct behavioral groups based on parent and teacher reports.
• To investigate the association between behavioral patterns and adolescent risk behaviors.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) for parent and teacher reports.
• Sample included 224 high-risk adolescent boys and girls (average age 12).
• Defined four groups: normal, internalizing, externalizing only, and comorbid.

Main Results:

• Comorbid and externalizing groups showed greater engagement in deviant peer groups and deviancy training.
• Cross-setting consistency in externalizing disorders linked to higher arrest rates, drug use, and sexual promiscuity.
• Comorbid youth exhibited the highest levels of sexual promiscuity in middle adolescence.

Conclusions:

• Findings support a developmental model of adolescent maladjustment.
• Early adolescent emotional disturbance may increase vulnerability to negative peer influences.
• Consistent externalizing behaviors across settings are a significant risk factor for adolescent maladjustment.