Abstract
Background
Pathways from early-life conduct problems to young adult depression remain poorly understood.
Aims
To test developmental pathways from early-life conduct problems to depression at age 18.
Method
Data (n = 3542) came from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Previously derived conduct problem trajectories (ages 4-13 years) were used to examine associations with depression from ages 10 to 18 years, and the role of early childhood factors as potential confounders.
Results
Over 43% of young adults with depression in the ALSPAC cohort had a history of child or adolescent conduct problems, yielding a population attributable fraction of 0.15 (95% CI 0.08-0.22). The association between conduct problems and depression at age 18 was considerable even after adjusting for prior depression (odds ratio 1.55, 95% CI 1.24-1.94). Early-onset persistent conduct problems carried the highest risk for later depression. Irritability characterised depression for those with a history of conduct problems.
Conclusions
Early-life conduct problems are robustly associated with later depressive disorder and may be useful targets for early intervention.
Pathways from early-life conduct problems to young adult depression remain poorly understood.
Aims
To test developmental pathways from early-life conduct problems to depression at age 18.
Method
Data (n = 3542) came from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Previously derived conduct problem trajectories (ages 4-13 years) were used to examine associations with depression from ages 10 to 18 years, and the role of early childhood factors as potential confounders.
Results
Over 43% of young adults with depression in the ALSPAC cohort had a history of child or adolescent conduct problems, yielding a population attributable fraction of 0.15 (95% CI 0.08-0.22). The association between conduct problems and depression at age 18 was considerable even after adjusting for prior depression (odds ratio 1.55, 95% CI 1.24-1.94). Early-onset persistent conduct problems carried the highest risk for later depression. Irritability characterised depression for those with a history of conduct problems.
Conclusions
Early-life conduct problems are robustly associated with later depressive disorder and may be useful targets for early intervention.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 17-23 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | British Journal of Psychiatry |
| Volume | 205 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 2 Jan 2018 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 18 May 2018 |