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Adolescent problem behaviours predicting DSM-IV diagnoses of multiple substance use disorder

Findings of a prospective birth cohort study

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Abstract

Background

Whether there is an independent association between problem behaviours and substance use disorders (SUD) needs further investigation. This study examined prospective associations of adolescent psychopathology and problem behaviours with SUD in early adulthood, and whether these associations are confounded by other factors.

Method

Data were from a prospective study of 2,429 young Australian adults from birth to the age of 21 when data on SUD were collected. Adolescent psychopathology and behaviour were assessed at 14 years via the Youth Self Report instrument on eight sub-scales of emotional and behavioural problems.

Results

In multivariate analyses, attention problems, delinquency, and aggression were associated with both single and multiple SUD in early adulthood, with delinquent behaviour being the strongest predictor (OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.4–2.9 for one SUD and OR = 3.6, 95% CI 2.4–5.0 for multiple SUDs).

Conclusions

Problem behaviours, in particular delinquency and aggression in early adolescence predict long-term SUD. The results suggest that substance use prevention programs should target adolescents with early symptoms of psychopathology and problem behaviour.

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Acknowledgments

We thank all participants in the study, the MUSP data collection team, and Greg Shuttlewood, University of Queensland who has helped to manage the data for the MUSP. We also thank Rosemary Aird and her colleagues for Phase 7 (21-year) data collection. The study was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia, but the views expressed in the paper are those of the authors and not necessarily those of any funding body.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. QADREC, School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Herston Road, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia

    Mohammad Reza Hayatbakhsh MD, PhD, Jake Moses Najman PhD, FASSA, Konrad Jamrozik DPhil, FAFPHM, Abdullah Al Mamun PhD & Rosa Alati PhD

  2. Qom University of Medical Science, Qom, Iran

    Mohammad Reza Hayatbakhsh MD, PhD

  3. School of Social Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Jake Moses Najman PhD, FASSA

  4. Mater Centre for Service Research in Mental Health, Mater Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    William Bor FRANZCP

Authors
  1. Mohammad Reza Hayatbakhsh MD, PhD
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  2. Jake Moses Najman PhD, FASSA
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  3. Konrad Jamrozik DPhil, FAFPHM
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  4. Abdullah Al Mamun PhD
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  5. William Bor FRANZCP
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  6. Rosa Alati PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mohammad Reza Hayatbakhsh MD, PhD.

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Hayatbakhsh, M.R., Najman, J.M., Jamrozik, K. et al. Adolescent problem behaviours predicting DSM-IV diagnoses of multiple substance use disorder. Soc Psychiat Epidemiol 43, 356–363 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-008-0325-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-008-0325-1

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