Childhood psychopathology and sense of coherence at age 18: findings from the Finnish from a boy to a man study

• Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 2009-12, Vol.44 (12), p.1097-1105
• Main Authors: Ristkari, Terja, Sourander, Andre, Rønning, John A., Piha, Jorma, Kumpulainen, Kirsti, Tamminen, Tuula, Moilanen, Irma, Almqvist, Fredrik
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Age; Age Factors; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - diagnosis; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - epidemiology; Biological and medical sciences; Boys; Child; Child & adolescent psychiatry; Child Behavior Disorders - diagnosis; Child Behavior Disorders - epidemiology; Child clinical studies; Child psychology; Children & youth; Comorbidity; Conduct Disorder - diagnosis; Conduct Disorder - epidemiology; Depression - diagnosis; Depression - epidemiology; Education; Educational Status; Epidemiology; Family - psychology; Family Relations; Finland - epidemiology; Humans; Longitudinal studies; Male; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mental Disorders - diagnosis; Mental Disorders - epidemiology; Mental Disorders - psychology; Mental health; Miscellaneous; Original Paper; Parents - psychology; Personality Inventory; Prospective Studies; Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Risk Factors; Severity of Illness Index; Suicides & suicide attempts; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 0933-7954; 1433-9285
• DOI: 10.1007/s00127-009-0032-6

Objective To examine associations between childhood psychopathology and family factors at age 8, and sense of coherence (SOC) at age 18. Methods The sample includes 2,314 Finnish boys born 1981 with information about psychopathology from parents and teachers using Rutter scales, and self-reports of depressive symptoms using Child Depression Inventory (CDI), and self-reports of SOC at age 18. Results Low parental education level and living in other than two biological parent family at age 8 were associated with low SOC 10 years later. Boys with internalizing symptoms based on parent/teacher reports, and depressive symptoms based on self-reports at age 8 were at risk for lower SOC at follow-up. Comorbidity of internalizing and conduct problems had the strongest association with low SOC. Conclusion The study shows that internalizing symptoms, comorbid conduct and emotional problems, low parental education level and nonintact family at age 8 predict low SOC at age 18. Future research whether universal, selective or indicated early interventions targeted on risk factors of childhood mental health problems may result in promotion of well-being (including good SOC) in early adulthood is warranted.