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A 15-Year Longitudinal Study

Nathalie Fontaine, PhD; René Carbonneau, PhD; Edward D. Barker, PhD; Frank Vitaro, PhD; Martine Hébert, PhD; Sylvana M. Côté, PhD; Daniel S. Nagin, PhD; Mark Zoccolillo, MD; Richard E. Tremblay, PhD

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008;65(3):320-328.

Context  The co-occurrence of hyperactivity and conduct problems in childhood seems to increase the risk of early adulthood adjustment problems in males. However, little is known about this topic in females.

Objectives  To describe the joint developmental trajectories of female hyperactivity and physical aggression during childhood and to examine the extent to which high trajectories of hyperactivity and physical aggression predict adjustment problems in early adulthood.

Design, Setting, and Participants  A total of 881 females from a population-based sample were studied. Developmental trajectories were described using teachers' ratings of behavior problems from the age of 6 to 12 years.

Main Outcome Measures  Age 21 years self-reports of substance use problems, criminal behaviors, aggression in intimate relationships, early pregnancy, educational attainment, and welfare assistance.

Results  Between the ages of 6 and 12 years, the frequency of hyperactivity and physical aggression tended to decrease for most girls. Those on a trajectory of high hyperactivity (HH) and high physical aggression (HPA) and a trajectory of HH alone were significantly more likely to report nicotine use problems (odds ratio [OR], 2.16 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.30-3.56] and OR, 2.23 [95% CI, 1.39-3.58], respectively), mutual psychological aggression in intimate relationships (OR, 2.28 [95% CI, 1.24-4.18] and OR, 2.14 [95% CI, 1.19-3.85], respectively), and low educational attainment (OR, 4.09 [95% CI, 2.33-7.18] and OR, 3.21 [95% CI, 1.84-5.59], respectively) compared with the other females at the age of 21 years. Only the HH-HPA females were significantly more likely to report physical aggression (OR, 2.48 [95% CI, 1.41-4.37]) and psychological aggression (OR, 2.54 [95% CI, 1.48-4.36]) in intimate relationships, early pregnancy (OR, 2.31 [95% CI, 1.17-4.56]), and welfare assistance (OR, 2.68 [95% CI, 1.33-5.41]) compared with the other females.

Conclusions  Elementary school girls with elevated levels of hyperactivity should be targeted for intensive prevention programs. These interventions should take into account the presence or absence of HPA.

Author Affiliations: Department of Psychology, University College London (Dr Fontaine) and MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London (Dr Barker), London, England; Department of Psychology, Laval University, Quebec City (Dr Fontaine), Research Unit on Children's Psychosocial Maladjustment (Drs Fontaine, Carbonneau, Barker, Vitaro, Côté, and Tremblay), University of Montreal, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal (Dr Zoccolillo), Department of Sexology, University of Quebec at Montreal (Dr Hébert), and International Laboratory for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Development, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; INSERM U669, Paris, France (Drs Côté and Tremblay); and H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Dr Nagin).

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