Publications
All peer reviewed publications are listed below.
Displaying page 16 of 24.
DSM-III-R tobacco dependence and quitting during late adolescence | 1995
Stanton, W.R.
Addictive Behaviors, 1995, 20(20), 595-603.
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Our ref: RO261
Previous studies of tobacco dependence have tended not to examine adolescent samples. In a cohort of 18-year-olds, the 12-month prevalence rate of dependence based on DSM-III-R criteria was found to be 19.3%. Cotinine levels in saliva were positively related to level of cigarette consumption but not to tobacco dependence and may not be a suitable measure of dependence. Measures of behavioral and psychological aspects of smoking supported the utility of DSM-III-R criteria for tobacco dependence among young smokers. As a large number of young smokers are dependent on tobacco, the results support the development of treatment programmes for youth that take into consideration their degree of dependence.
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Obsessive-compulsive disorder in a birth cohort of 18 year olds: Prevalence and predictors | 1995
Douglass, H.M., Moffitt, T.E., Dar,
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Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 1995, 34(34), 1424-1431.
Link to full publication »
Our ref: RO260
Objective: To report descriptive epidemiological information on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in an unselected birth cohort of 930 males and females, aged 18 years. Method: An epidemiological study of the prevalence of self-reported OCD at age 18, and a longitudinal analysis of the prospective predictors of OCD. Results: Using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule, the authors found a I-year prevalence rate of 4%, with a male-female ratio of 0.7:1. The majority of OCD cases met criteria for a comorbid disorder, most commonly depression (62%), social phobia (38%), and substance dependence (alcohol 24%, marijuana 19%). Conclusions: Data collected on the sample from birth to age 18 years indicated that many childhood risk factors theorized in the literature did not predict OCD in this sample. However, a history of depression and substance use were prospective risk factors for OCD.
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Disability in late adolescence III: Utilisation of health services | 1995
Dixon, G., Stanton, W.R., McGee,
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Disability and Rehabilitation, 1995, 17(17), 225-230.
Our ref: RO259
Adolescent health service usage is a neglected research area. Data are important for planning of services and for prioritizing needs. A sample of 871 18-year-olds was surveyed about its use of health services in the preceding year. A significant proportion had made a consultation and were mostly satisfied with the service received. For a subsample of that cohort, who had a difficulty in their daily living, only a third had consulted a health professional for that difficulty over the past year. Help-seeking was related to the severity of that difficulty, particularly for the limitations that it imposed on everyday life. Some dissatisfactions with consultations were expressed in relation to expectations of the efficacy of treatment and to the communication of the health professionals.
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Antecedents of vulnerability and resilience to smoking among adolescents | 1995
Stanton, W.R., Lowe, J.B., Silva,
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Journal of Adolescent Health, 1995, 16(16), 71-77.
Our ref: RO257
Purpose: Studies of adolescent smoking have concentrated on factors that are associated with smoking (vulnerability), but have tended not to examine whether these factors also describe adolescents who have been at risk of becoming smokers but have not succumbed, for example, to the social pressure of having friends who smoke (resilience). Methods: Results from a longitudinal study were used to examine the predictors of resilience to social influence from among a selected group of factors associated with adolescent smoking. Results: Among those with no recent history of smoking, the predictor variables for vulnerability and resilience were different across age. However, for adolescents who had a recent history of smoking there were no predictors of continued smoking or of stopping, apart from whether or not a friend smoked. Conclusions: Resilience factors against smoking show the characteristics of those who have successfully resisted the social influence to smoke. Identification of further predictors of resilience would help in the development of intervention programs and should include a reexamination of factors not usually correlated with smoking status.
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Models of adolescent psychopathology: childhood risk and the transition to adulthood | 1995
Feehan, M., McGee, R., Williams,
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Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 1995, 34(34), 670-679.
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Our ref: RO256
Objective: To examine the relationship between DSM-III disorder in adolescence (age 15 years) and DSM-III disorder in early adulthood (age 18 years), in relation to a history of behavior problems or disorder, other family and individual characteristics, and events commonly associated with the transition to adulthood. Method: The sample came from a New Zealand birth cohort selected from the general population. Data were obtained from ages 3 to 18 years for 890 of those enrolled. Results: For both males and females, disorder at age 15 was strongly predicted by histories of early mental health problems. However, neither those histories, background characteristics, nor the experience of adolescent transition events modified the strength of association between disorder at ages 15 and 18 years. In childhood, after adjusting for histories of behavior problems, parental separations and (for boys) poor social competence remained independent predictors of disorder at age 15. Overall, boys appeared more vulnerable and those from socially disadvantaged backgrounds in early childhood had an elevated risk of disorder at age 18. After adjusting for disorder at age 15, adolescent unemployment remained an independent predictor of disorder at age 18 for both males and females. Conclusions: This study modeled the continuity of disorder across the adolescent transition period and, after taking earlier disorder into account, identified clear predictors of later disorder. This is the first step in the process of developing more effective interventions to reduce the risk of mental health disorders.
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Relation of bronchial responsiveness assessed by methacholine to allergy skin test reactivity, lung function, respiratory symptoms and diagnoses in thirteen year old New Zealand children | 1995
Burrows, B., Sears, M.R., Flannery,
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Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 1995, 95(95), 548-556.
Our ref: RO253
Background: Many factors have been found to relate univariately to bronchial responsiveness (BR), but their independent relationships are often unclear because many are interrelated Objective: The purpose of this study was to present a multivariate analysis of the closeness of the association of various factors that are related univariately to BR, including allergy skin tests. Methods: The results of methacholine challenge were transformed into a continuous variable (BRindex), which has a nearly Gaussian distribution. With stepwise multiple regression, the closeness of the association of the independent variables with BRindex was evaluated. Results: Of the 11 skin tests applied, four showed independent relationships to BRindex (mite, cat, dog, and Aspergillus species). The sizes of these skin test reactions were correlated with BRindex, and their sum appeared to maximize the overall correlation of allergy skin tests with BRindex (r = 0.516). The lowness of the ratio of forced expiratory volume in I second to vital capacity and of percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second added significantly to the skin tests in correlating with BRindex, (multiple r = 0.621). Adding diagnoses and symptoms increased the multiple r to 0.685. Conclusions: The size of the reactions to the four skin tests noted above showed much closet correlations with BR than total serum IgE had shown at age 11, and the relationship was present in asthmatic and nonasthmatic subjects.
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Risk factors for airway responsiveness in childhood asthma | 1995
Sears, M.R.
Pediatric Pulmonology, 1995, 11(11), 42-43.
Our ref: RO252
This brief article provides an overview and discussion of some of the risk factors for asthma in the Dunedin Study over the years. It provides commentary on the significance of a wide range of factors that have to found to be associated with increased airway hyperresponsiveness or asthma.
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Temperamental qualities at age 3 predict personality traits in young adulthood: Longitudinal evidence from a birth cohort | 1995
Caspi, A., Silva, P.A.
Child Development, 1995, 66(66), 486-498.
Our ref: RO248
In an unselected sample of over 800 subjects we studied whether behavioral styles at age 3 are linked to personality traits at age 18. We identified 5 temperament groups (labeled Undercontrolled, Inhibited, Confident, Reserved, and Well-adjusted) based on behavioral ratings made by examiners when the children were 3. These groups were reassessed at 18, and their personality styles were measured with the self-report Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire. Results pointed to continuities across time. As young adults, Undercontrolled children scored high on measures of impulsivity, danger seeking, aggression, and interpersonal alienation; Inhibited children scored low on measures of impulsivity, danger seeking, aggression, and social potency; Confident children scored high on impulsivity; Reserved children scored low on social potency; and Well-adjusted children continued to exhibit normative behaviors.
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Stability in the structure of health locus of control among adolescents | 1995
Stanton, W.R., Nada-Raja, S., Langley,
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British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1995, 34(34), 132-140.
Our ref: RO247
The Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) scales have been widely used as a measure of health beliefs in adult populations. In a longitudinal study of an adolescent cohort, we examined some of the properties of the MHLC; whether there are changes in the locus of beliefs between the ages of 13 and 15 years; and the extent of gender differences at the two ages. The results provided some degree of support for the previously proposed structure of the MHLC, but showed correlations among the subscales that were higher than might be expected, and lower alpha reliability coefficients than have been reported for adult samples. There was also evidence of downward changes in scores for the 'chance' and 'powerful others' scales, as well as differences in the factor structures of females and males at age 15 years. In contrast to the structure of health beliefs found with some adult samples, 'chance' is a prominent, independent dimension of beliefs about control of health among adolescents. The independence of the 'internal control' and 'powerful others' scales seem to be a function of both age and gender. As health behaviours are multidetermined, it is concluded that the MHLC measure would be useful as part of an index of health status.
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Disability in late adolescence II: Follow-up of perceived limitation | 1995
Stanton, W.R., Langley, J.D., McGee,
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Disability and Rehabilitation, 1995, 17(17), 70-75.
Our ref: RO244
The disabilities experienced by a large cohort of 18-year-olds have been reported in the previous paper of this series. In this paper, we present the results of a detailed examination of the extent to which the disabilities caused limitation in the everyday activities of this group of young people. The results showed that nearly three-quarters of the members of the sample reported having one or more difficulties in performing activities in their daily lives, though the extent of limitation on their activities was low for most adolescents. Of this group who reported any type of disablement, 23% indicated it imposed very little general limitation on their lives (on a five point scale) and 6% rated it at the highest degree of limitation. Approximately half those with a disability felt the condition was improving, but 28% required an aid or help from another person. From 8% to 11% of those with a disability rated it as serious in relation to aspects of their daily living (education, leisure, social and work) and about half of those with a serious degree of limitation had sought help. The most common disabilities related to behaviour, communication and situations, for example environmental factors. As part of an ongoing study, the results provide a base from which to examine the extent and severity of disability among young people and change in disability as a result of the ageing process.
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The Rey Osterreith Complex Figure Test: Norms for young adolescents and an examination of validity | 1995
Poulton, R., Moffitt, T.E.
Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 1995, 10(10), 47-56.
Our ref: RO240
Although recent studies have investigated theoretically relevant aspects of performance and psychometric properties of the Rey-Osterreith Complex Figure Test (ROCFT), there is no documentation of the instrument's construct and predictive validity in an unselected, nonclinical population. This is necessary because knowledge of base rates of poor performance in the general population is required to evaluate the significance of performance deficits in clinical populations. The ROCFT was administered to 740 children aged 13 years who are members of an unselected birth cohort, representative of the general population. Normative findings are presented. Correlational analysis indicated that performance on the ROCFT was closely related to performance on the Block Design and Object Assembly subtests of the WISC-R. The first documentation was obtained of the ROCFT's predictive validity. Subjects in an unselected nonclinical sample who had a history of central nervous system health problems scored below the rest of the sample. Implications for the continued use of this instrument are discussed.
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Size dependence of airway responsiveness in children | 1995
Le Souef, P.N., Sherrill, D.L., Sears,
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American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 1995, 152(152), 576-579.
Our ref: RO225
Methodologies used to assess airway responsiveness (AR) in children administer the same dosage schedule to all children despite the great range in the size of subjects. The aim of this study was to examine the hypothesis that the level of AR is size dependent within same-age cohorts and between different ages. Among a birth cohort of 1,037 New Zealand children participating in a longitudinal study, 818 had at least two measurements of airway responsiveness between ages 9 and 15 yr. Each child performed spirometry and a four-dose methacholine inhalation test. A continuous slope index of methacholine responsiveness was computed. AR slope indexes were analyzed using longitudinal methods, which included an indicator variable for subjects who reported having any wheeze. AR was lowest in both males and females in the upper quartile for height than those in the lower quartile, independently of age. AR tended to be higher (responded to lower concentrations of methacholine) in boys than girls and to decline with age among wheezers. The greater level of responsiveness in smaller or younger children could be explained by these individuals having received a dose of methacholine that was relatively large for their size.
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Temperamental origins of child and adolescent behavior problems: From age 3 to age 15. | 1995
Caspi, A., Henry, B., McGee,
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Child Development, 1995, 66(66), 55-68.
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Our ref: RO212
We assessed relations between early temperament and behavior problems across 12 years in an unselected sample of over 800 children. Temperament measures were drawn from behavior ratings made by examiners who observed children at ages 3, 5, 7, and 9. Factor analyses revealed 3 dimensions at each age: Lack of Control, Approach, and Sluggishness. Temperament dimensions at ages 3 and 5 were correlated in theoretically coherent ways with behavior problems that were independently evaluated by parents and teachers at ages 9 and 11, and by parents at ages 13 and 15. Lack of Control was more strongly associated with later externalizing behavior problems than with internalizing problems; Approach was associated with fewer internalizing problems among boys; and Sluggishness was weakly associated with both anxiety and inattention, especially among girls. Lack of Control and Sluggishness were also associated with fewer adolescent competencies. These results suggest that early temperament may have predictive specificity for the development of later psychopathology.
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Disability in late adolescence I: Introduction, methods and overview | 1995
Langley, J.D., Stanton, W.R., McGee,
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Disability and Rehabilitation, 1995, 17(17), 45-52.
Our ref: RO210
The research sought to describe the nature and severity of disability and its impact in a large sample of 18-year-olds. It was conducted as part of a larger longitudinal study of the health and development of a cohort of approximately 1000 children. This paper presents an overview of the methods used together with the results on the prevalence of specific disabilities. The three leading disabilities were: coping with dust, pollens, or chemicals (rate: 272 per 1000), equipment dependence (186), and disability in endurance (160).
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Socio-economic characteristics of a much studied cohort: the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study | 1994
Reeder, A.I., Feehan, M., Chalmers,
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New Zealand Journal of Educational Studies, 1994, 29(29), 209-213.
Our ref: NZ69
This paper summarises the results of socioeconomic comparisons made between the parents of 15-year-old children enrolled in the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study (DMHDS) and the population of New Zealand parents with children of similar age identified from the 1986 Census database. DMHDS parents were significantly advantaged in terms of education, income, occupation, and overall socioeconomic status. Prevalence estimates of characteristics associated with socioeconomic factors reported by the DMHDS are likely to be conservative. Nevertheless, the full socioeconomic spectrum of parents was represented, therefore, the identification of socioeconomic risk factors for particular outcomes can be achieved within the structure of the DMHDS cohort itself.
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Smoking in pregnancy and child development to age 9 years | 1994
McGee, R., Stanton, W.R.
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 1994, 30(30), 263-268.
Our ref: RO258
This study examined the association between women's retrospective reports of smoking during pregnancy and subsequent language, cognitive, behavioural and physical development in their children up to age 9 years. While there was a strong association between maternal smoking and an index of disadvantageous child rearing, maternal smoking was not associated with more general family disadvantage. After controlling for levels of background disadvantage, no relationship was found between reports of smoking and language, cognitive or physical development. However, smoking was related to maternal reports of behaviour problems at age of school entry. Possible explanations for this relationship are discussed.
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Changes in airway responsiveness from age 9 to 15: relationship with atopy, symptoms and lung function [Abstract] | 1994
Sears, M.R., Burrows, B.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 1994, 194(194), A912.
Our ref: RO255
Abstract of study described in RO264 on rrlation of the course of bronchial responsiveness from age 9 to age 15 to allergy.
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Sheepskins and bedding in childhood, and development of bronchial asthma [Abstract] | 1994
Sears, M.R., Flannery, E.M., Herbison,
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Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 1994, 93(93), 176.
Our ref: RO254
This abstract showed that there were no associations between the use of any type of bedding and the development of asthma, airway hyperresponsiveness or atopy. Use of a sheepskin in the bed in early childhood was not a risk factor for the development of asthma. [See RO251 for a full description of this study.]
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Sheepskins and bedding in childhood, and the risk of development of bronchial asthma | 1994
Flannery, E.M., Herbison, G.P., Hewitt,
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Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine, 1994, 24(24), 687-692.
Our ref: RO251
Relationships between various beds and mattresses and the risk of the development of bronchial asthma were studied. In the whole cohort no associations were identified to suggest a causal relationship between any type of material and the development of features of asthma. However, increased airway responsiveness and mite sensitivity were significantly associated with the use of innerspring mattresses, although the significance of this association was not certain.
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Body size and the menarche: the Dunedin Study | 1994
St George, I.M., Williams, S.M., Silva,
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Journal of Adolescent Health, 1994, 15(15), 573-576.
Our ref: RO249
Purpose. We wished to elucidate the relationships among body size variables and age of menarche for New Zealand girls. Methods. Body size variables were measured repeatedly over eighteen years and age of menarche recorded for 415 girls enrolled in the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study. Results. Girls who were taller and heavier with a higher body mass index than their peers from 7 years of age reached menarche early: height was the most important determinant. Early maturing girls were overtaken in height by the later-maturing girls by fifteen but remained heavier even at eighteen. The daughters of tall mothers matured later. The mean weight at menarche was 41.4 kg, height 149.4 cm, body mass index 18.4, and age 12.9 years. Conclusions. The daughters of short women matured early and continued growing heavier, but they stopped growing taller and were overtaken in height by the later-maturing daughters of tall women.
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Alcohol in the mass media and drinking by adolescents: A longitudinal study | 1994
Connolly, G.M., Casswell, S., Zhang,
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Addiction, 1994, 89(89), 1255-1263.
Our ref: RO246
Data from a longitudinal study carried out in Dunedin, New Zealand, were used to investigate associations between alcohol consumption at age 18 years and alcohol-related mass media communications recalled at ages 13 and 15 years. The respondents' recall of alcohol-related mass media material were categorized as: commercial alcohol advertising, alcohol moderation messages or the portrayal of alcohol in entertainment. An additional media variable was the number of hours spent watching television. Non-media variables, such as peer approval of drinking, living situation and occupation (all at age 18 years) were also included in the analyses. The period between the interviews at ages 13 and 15 years saw an increase in the broadcast of commercial alcohol advertisements on television in New Zealand and this was reflected in an increase in the proportion of the mass media material recalled which was categorized as commercial advertising. At age 15 years television advertising, mostly for beer companies, was the predominant material recalled. No relationships were found between the commercial advertising and wine and spirits consumption, among either men or women, but young women who had watched more hours of television drank more wine/spirits. Among women there were two unexpected negative relationships between recall of alcohol in the media at age 13 years and beer consumption. However, among men there was a consistent positive relationship such that those who had recalled more alcohol advertisements at age 15 years drank larger quantities of beer at age 18 years.
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Health beliefs among New Zealand adolescents | 1994
Nada-Raja, S., McGee, R., Williams,
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Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 1994, 30(30), 523-529.
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Our ref: RO245
This report describes the use of a modified version of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) Scale. There were significant sex differences in the result. In general, MHLC beliefs were not significantly associated with self-reportings of general health.
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Sociodemographic characteristics of adolescent smokers | 1994
Stanton, W.R., Oei, T.P.S., Silva,
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International Journal of the Addictions, 1994, 29(29), 913-925.
Our ref: RO243
In this study we examined the interdependence of a broad range of sociodemographic characteristics in a large sample of 15-year-old smokers and nonsmokers. The most prominent risk factors for smoking included the father figure not being the natural father, low family SES, and the young person having a recent part-time job. In particular, the number of adverse sociodemographic conditions present was associated with an increased likelihood of daily smoking at ages 15 and 18. It is estimated that over a I-year period the cost of cigarettes consumed by 15-year-olds alone is NZ$4.6 million. Use of sociodemographic characteristics to target adolescents at risk of becoming smokers is discussed.
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On the Remembrance of Things Past A longitudinal evaluation of the retrospective method | 1994
Henry, B., Moffitt, T.E., Caspi,
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Psychological Assessment, 1994, 6(6), 92-101.
Our ref: RO242
This study examined the extent of agreement between retrospective and prospective measures of variables in seven different content domains: resident changes, anthropometrics, injuries, reading ability, family characteristics, behavioural problems and delinquency. The results suggested that the use of retrospective reports should be limited to testing hypotheses about the relative standing of individuals in a distribution, and should not be used to test hypotheses that demand precision in estimating event frequencies and event dates.
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Are some people crime-prone? Replications of the personality-crime relationship across countries, genders, races and methods | 1994
Caspi, A., Moffitt, T.E., Silva,
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Criminology, 1994, 32(32), 163-195 .
Our ref: RO241
We examined the relation between personality traits and crime in two studies. In New Zealand we studied 18-year-old males and females from an entire birth cohort. In Pittsburgh we studied an ethnically diverse group of 12- and 13-year-old boys. In both studies we gathered multiple and independent measures of personality and delinquent involvement. The personality correlates of delinquency were robust in different nations, in different age cohorts, across gender, and across race: greater delinquent participation was associated with a personality configuration characterized by high Negative Emotionality and weak Constraint. We suggest that when Negative Emotionality (the tendency to experience aversive affective states) is accompanied by weak Constraint (difficulty in impulse control), negative emotions may be translated more readily into antisocial acts. We review additional evidence about the developmental origins and consequences of this personality configuration and discuss its implications for theories about antisocial behavior. [Reprinted in S. Henry & W. Einstadler (Eds), Criminology: Readings in Contempory Theory. NY: New York University Press, 1997]
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Neuropsychological tests predicting persistent male delinquency | 1994
Moffitt, T.E., Lynam, D.R., Silva,
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Criminology, 1994, 32(32), 277-300.
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Our ref: RO239
This article reports the first longitudinal evidence that prospective measures of neuropsychological status predict antisocial outcomes. We studied data for a birth cohort of several hundred New Zealand males from age 13 to age 18. Age-13 neuropsychological scores predicted later delinquency measured via multiple sources: police, courts, and self-report. Poor neuropsychological scores were associated with early onset of delinquency. The results fit our predictions about two trajectories of delinquent involvement: (1) Poor neuropsychological status predicted specifically male offending that began before age 13 and persisted at high levels thereafter. (2) By contrast, in this sample neuropsychological status was unrelated to delinquency that began in adolescence.
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Multidimensional health locus of control beliefs and psychological health for a sample of mothers | 1994
Nada-Raja, S., Williams, S.M., McGee,
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Social Science and Medicine, 1994, 39(39), 213-220.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0277-9536(94)90330-1
Our ref: RO238
Five multidimensional health locus of control (MHLC) types for 772 women whose children are enrolled in a longitudinal study of their health and development were identified. The MHLC is composed of an internal and two external dimensions (chance and powerful others). The five independent MHLC clusters were: pure internal; believer in control; pure chance; yea-sayer; and nay-sayer. Women with high scores on the three dimensions of the MHLC (yea-sayer) compared with the rest of the sample were significantly more likely to be from a lower socio-economics status, score lower on a general verbal intelligence test and higher on the Neuroticism and Lie Scales of the Eysenck Personality Inventory. They rated their overall health as significantly poorer, and reported more symptoms of depression compared with the other groups. A pure internal locus of control was strongly associated with the report of good health. Women with a strong belief in internal and powerful other loci of control were significantly more likely to have received treatment for their depression compared with other groups. Help-seeking for children's problem behaviour did not vary significantly with MHLC groups. The present study replicated five out of six MHLC types identified in an earlier study, and established the external validity of the MHLC types on measures of health status. The findings support the use of MHLC types in future research on health locus of control.
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DSM-III-R disorders in New Zealand 18-year-olds | 1994
Feehan, M., McGee, R., Nada-Raja,
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Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 1994, 28(28), 87-99.
Our ref: RO237
The one-year prevalence and correlates of selected DSM-III disorders were determined in a sample of 930 18-year-olds. Using both diagnostic and impairment criteria 340 Individuals (36.6%) were considered to have disorder. The most prevalent disorders were major depressive episode (16.7%), alcohol dependence (10.4%) and social phobia (11.1%). There was a high degree of co-morbidity among disorders; 46% of those with disorder had two or more. The prevalence of disorders was greater for females with the exception of conduct disorder and alcohol or marijuana dependence. A variety of characteristics were associated with disorder including poor social competence, disadvantage and self-rated health status. A third of those with disorder had their problems recognised by a 'significant-other'. The results are presented within the context of a perceived need for research in the area of adolescent and early adult mental health in order to minimise the toll of mental disorder in later life.
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Self-reported inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity at ages 15 and 18 in the general population | 1994
Schaughency, E., McGee, R., Nada-Raja,
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Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 1994, 33(33), 173-184.
Link to full publication »
Our ref: RO219
Objective: Prevalence, impact, and continuity of self-reported attention deficit disorder (ADD) symptomology from ages 15 to 18 years were examined in a longitudinal study of a New Zealand birth cohort. Method: At age 15, prevalence of ADD symptomology was estimated, with no gender differences found in self-reported symptomology. Four adolescents (0.5%) met full DSM-III criteria for ADD. Adolescents scoring higher than 1.5 SD above the sample mean on total ADD symptom score were identified as having high levels of ADD symptomology. Results: Male and female adolescents reporting ADD symptomology with (6% of males; 4% of females) and without history of behavior disorder (6% of males; 7% of females) did not differ in inattention and impulsivity, received more diagnoses other than ADD, and experienced more adverse educational and social outcomes at 15 and 18 years than did the non ADD group. Conclusions: Findings pertaining to the ADD with history group were consistent with previous research on the outcome of hyperactive children, whereas the ADD without history group may be reflecting the onset of other pathology in adolescence. Results suggest adolescent self-report of attentional difficulties may be a clinically significant marker of adjustment difficulties for both males and females, but additional information likely is needed for accurate diagnosis.
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A longitudinal study of birth order, help seeking and psychopathology | 1994
Feehan, M., Stanton, W.R., McGee,
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British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1994, 33(33), 143-150.
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Our ref: RO218
Recent studies have suggested an association between birth order and psychopathology. However, the association remains unclear due to a lack of consideration of the confounding effects of family size. At age seven years the family size and birth order of children from a large cohort of New Zealand children were examined in relation to parental help seeking for behavioural and emotional problems, and the development of DSM-III (American Psychiatric Association, 1980) disorder in pre-adolescence and adolescence. Neither the child's gender, birth order nor family size were associated with parental help seeking or the prevalence of DSM-III disorder in pre-adolescence at age 11. In adolescence at age 15, however, significantly more girls, first-borns and children from small families had DSM-III disorder, but the interactions between these factors were not significant. In particular, these associations were found with internalizing disorders. The appropriateness of further studies of birth order in relation to psychopathology is discussed.
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Personality traits are linked to crime among men and women: Evidence from a birth cohort | 1994
Krueger, R.F., Schmutte, P.S., Caspi,
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Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1994, 103(103), 328-338.
Link to full publication »
Our ref: RO214
Is there a relationship between personality and criminal behavior? We addressed this question in a representative birth cohort of 862 male and female 18-year-olds. Personality was assessed with the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ). The MPQ measures 10 relatively independent personality traits and was not designed to identify offenders. Delinquency was assessed via 3 data sources: self-reports, informant reports, and official records. Variable-centered analyses revealed that MPQ scales indexing negative emotionality and behavioral constraint were consistent predictors of delinquency across the 3 data sources. Person-centered analyses revealed that youths abstaining from delinquency were uniquely characterized by low interpersonal potency. Youths involved in extensive delinquency were uniquely characterized by feelings of alienation, lack of social closeness, and risk taking. Advances in understanding criminal behavior can be made through research that places the personality-delinquency link in a developmental context.
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Reading attainment and juvenile delinquency | 1994
Williams, S.M., McGee, R.
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 1994, 35(35), 441-459.
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Our ref: RO208
Structural equation modelling was used with data from a longitudinal study of child development (N= 698) to examine relationships between early reading attainment and antisocial behaviour at ages 7 and 9 years and subsequent reading and delinquent behaviour in adolescence. While reading, analysed as a continuous variable, did not directly influence later delinquency, antisocial behaviour during the early school years was strongly predictive of delinquency at age 15 years, particularly for boys, and had a detrimental effect on reading. These findings were independent of social disadvantage, and were unchanged by adjusting reading scores for IQ. Reading disability at 9 years old, however, predicted conduct disorder at age 15 in boys.
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Cannabis use among New Zealand Adolescents [Letter] | 1993
McGee, R., Feehan, M.
New Zealand Medical Journal, 1993, 106(106), 345.
Our ref: NZ67
This letter describes results from the Study on cannabis use among sample members at age 15 and 18 in support of the findings of Fergusson et al on cannabis use in a sample of adolescents in Christchurch, New Zealand.
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Reported food consumption and dietary habits of New Zealand adolescents | 1993
Worsley, A., Worsley, A.J., McConnon,
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Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 1993, 29(29), 209-214 .
Our ref: RO297
Six hundred and sixty-seven fifteen year old members of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development study cohort completed a self-administered food frequency and dietary habits inventory. The results show that only 14 foods were consumed on a regular basis by more than 80% of the cohort. Statistically significant differences were found between the numbers of boys and girls consuming a variety of foods; generally, more girls consumed fruits and green vegetables and more boys consumed foods rich in fat and sugar. Several differences were observed in the food consumption of three income groups: fewer adolescents in low income families consumed expensive foods such as steak. The implications of these food consumption findings and their associated gender and income differences for nutrition promotion and food policy are discussed.
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A cognitive development framework | 1993
Stanton, W.R.
Current Psychology: Research and Reviews, 1993, 12(12), 26-45.
Our ref: RO236
Prominent stage theories of cognitive development show evidence of a structure in which each stage contains a number of subsidiary levels. Comparisons of the stages in these theories have commonly been made through the established links with stages of Piaget's theory. In response to Kagan's criticism of Piaget's theory, features of these developmental theories were used in this paper as the basis for a general framework of interactive stages and levels of cognitive operations. Some implications of the proposed framework in relation to cognitive development theories and directions for further research are examined. Further application of this framework could help to identify commonalities in cognitive operations across different contents, contexts and cultures.
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When do individual differences matter? A paradoxical theory of personality coherence | 1993
Caspi, A., Moffitt, T.E.
Psychological Inquiry, 1993, 4(4), 247-271.
Our ref: RO235
This paper proposed that individual differences in personality should be studied during periods of environmental change because these periods provide an opportunity to discern the general mechanisms that govern the functions and processes of personality. The authors delineate the circumstances wherein personality differences are accentuated and then specific the conditions whereby change is produced. Personality differences are likely to be revealed during transitions into unpredictable new situations, when there is a press to behave but no information about how to behave adaptively. Dispositional differences are thus accentuated as each person seeks to transform novel, ambiguous and uncertain circumstances into familiar, clear, and expectable social encounters. The authors' theory also accounts for turning points in behavioural development: systematic change is likely to occur during transitions into new situations, when there is a press to behave and when previous responses are actively discouraged while clear information is provided about how to behave adaptively.
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The definition and diagnosis of asthma | 1993
Sears, M.R.
Allergy, 1993, 48(48), 12-16.
Our ref: RO234
Asthma defies precise definition, despite several carefully worded statements. Perhaps the most concise and useful description of asthma is variable airflow obstruction. The diagnosis is made by recognition of a patterns of one or more characteristic symptoms including wheeze, cough, chest tightness and dyspnoea, and is best confirmed by evidence of variable or reversible airflow obstruction accompanying symptoms.
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Atopy in childhood. III. Relationship with pulmonary function and airway responsiveness | 1993
Sears, M.R., Burrows, B., Herbison,
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Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 1993, 23(23), 957-963.
Our ref: RO233
The relationship between atopy and pulmonary function in children, and how these relate directly or indirectly to airway hyperresponsiveness, is uncertain. We have examined these relationships in a sample of 13-year-old children. A questionnaire on respiratory symptoms, skin-prick tests to 11 common allergens, spirometry and an abbreviated methacholine challenge test were completed by 662 members (341 boys) of a birth cohort of New Zealand children followed longitudinally to age 13. There was a significant relationship between the presence and degree of atopy, and baseline pulmonary function. Low FEV1/VC ratios were associated with a greater likelihood of airway responsiveness, not only in subjects with diagnosed asthma, but also in the full cohort and in the sub-group of 426 children who denied asthma or current wheeze. The relationships between baseline FEV1/VC and airway responsiveness were stronger in atopic than in non-atopic children, with the strongest relationships in children sensitive to house dust mite and/or cat dander. In the presence of atopy, progressively lower levels of lung function were strongly associated with a higher prevalence of airway responsiveness (P<0.001). In non-atopic subjects, only those with the most impaired lung function (FEV1/VC <75%) showed any substantive prevalence of airway responsiveness. The relationship between the degree of atopy and the FEV1/VC ratio, although significant in univariate analysis, became completely non-significant after accounting for airway responsiveness. In 13-year-old children, atopy, especially to house dust mite and cat dander, was correlated with pulmonary function expressed as FEV1/VC ratio. Airway responsiveness likewise correlated with impaired baseline lung function. The apparent relationship of lung function to atopy occurred primarily as a result of the relationship between atopy and airway responsiveness. Atopy and impaired lung function were additive factors predicting airway responsiveness.
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Atopy in childhood. II. Relationship to airway responsiveness, hayfever and asthma | 1993
Sears, M.R., Burrows, B., Herbison,
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Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 1993, 23(23), 949-956.
Our ref: RO232
While airway hyperresponsiveness is usually associated with a diagnosis of asthma or symptoms of wheezing, some individuals with rhinitis show airway hyperresponsiveness as do some with no symptoms whatsoever. We have studied the correlations between symptoms, airway hyperresponsiveness and atopy as determined by skin-prick tests in a cohort of New Zealand children. A total of 662 members of a birth cohort were studied at age 13 years using a respiratory questionnaire, skin-prick tests to 11 common allergens, and an abbreviated validated methacholine challenge test to determine airway responsiveness. Airway hyperresponsiveness (methacholine PC20 FEV1 less-than-or-equal-to 8 mg/ml) was strongly correlated with reported asthma and current wheezing (P<0.0001) and also with atopy, especially to house dust mite and cat (P<0.0001). As weal size for both house dust mite and cat increased, so did the proportion of children with airway hyperresponsiveness. All children with diagnosed asthma and airway hyperresponsiveness were atopic. Skin-test reactions to house dust mite and cat were strongly correlated with any degree of measurable airway responsiveness (PC20 FEV1 less-than-or-equal-to 25 mg/ml) in children with rhinitis (P < 0.0001), and remained significantly correlated even in children without current asthma, without asthma ever and without rhinitis (P < 0.001). Atopy is a major determinant of airway hyperresponsiveness in children, not only in those with reported histories of asthma and wheezing, but also in the absence of any history suggesting asthma and rhinitis.
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Atopy in childhood. I. Gender and allergen related risks for development of hayfever and asthma | 1993
Sears, M.R., Burrows, B., Flannery,
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Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 1993, 23(23), 941-948.
Our ref: RO231
Reasons for the gender differences in prevalence rates for asthma remain unclear. We have examined the relationships between allergen skin-test reactions and diagnoses of hay fever and asthma in New Zealand boys and girls examined at the age of 13 years. Information on current and past wheezing, diagnosed asthma, and hay fever was obtained for 662 subjects (341 boys) of a birth cohort followed longitudinally to the age of 13 years, using a physician-administered questionnaire. Atopic status was determined by skin-prick tests to 11 common allergens. The proportion of 13-year-old boys with current asthma was 1.6 times higher and of ever-diagnosed asthma 1.4 times higher than in girls, but the prevalence of recurrent wheeze (greater-than-or-equal-to three episodes per year) not diagnosed as asthma, or of hay fever, was not significantly different between the sexes. The prevalence of diagnosed asthma increased with increasing numbers of positive skin tests, but hay fever without asthma was little affected above one positive skin-test. Boys had a greater prevalence of any positive skin-test (50.1 % vs 37.1%), two or more positive tests (29.3% vs 21.8%), and responses to house dust mite (34.0% vs 23.1%) and cat (14.7% vs 11.2%). Gender differences for asthma became insignificant when adjusted for skin-test responsiveness to house dust mite and/or cat. The proportion of children with diagnosed asthma increased with increasing size of weals to house dust mite and cat dan er. Gender differences in allergen sensitivities partly explain the gender differences in diagnosed asthma in children. In both sexes, risk of asthma was primarily associated with sensitization to indoor allergens (house dust mite and cat), and was related to the magnitude of the skin-test response, while the risk of hay fever was primarily associated with grass pollen sensitivity.
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