William Atkins
Sunday, 18 January 2009 20:16
Science -
Biology
Page 3 of 4
Dr. Colman stated,
“This research suggests that conduct difficulties in adolescence are not just a short-term problem that disappears when children grow up and mature."
He added,
"This study suggests that adolescent-conduct problems are often indicative of more serious problems in creating and maintaining positive social relationships, and this inability to function pro-socially has a long-term effect on the young adult's ability to maintain good mental health, stable employment and a happy family life." [PhysOrg.com: “
Early bad behaviour predicts troubled path, according to study”]
The January 16, 2009 PhysOrg.com article stated that Colman was not surprised by the general outcome of their study: that extremely troubled youth continue to have problems as adults.
What was unexpectedly found was the conclusion that even "mild" adolescent behavioral problems were an accurate predictor of problems later in life as an adults.
Colman stated,
"They were more likely to leave school early, be involved in a teenage pregnancy and/or in adulthood abuse alcohol, be divorced and have lower paying jobs.” [PhysOrg.com].
They concluded,
“Adolescents who exhibit externalising behaviour experience multiple social and health impairments that adversely affect them, their families, and society throughout adult life.”
Colman stated that they would like to next study why some people succeed in life even with having behavior problems as children while other people continue to have behavioral problems in adulthood after having them as children.
Page four concludes that not all troubled youth are destined to have major problems as adults. Behavioral problems can be changed.
