Major depression and conduct disorder in a twin sample: gender, functioning, and risk for future psychopathology.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Major depression (MDD) and conduct disorder (CD) co-occur in adolescents at rates higher than would be expected by chance. This study described the functioning of adolescents with histories of these disorders and examined whether these patterns of association differed by gender. METHOD: Subjects with a lifetime diagnosis of MDD and/or CD were selected from a sample of 17-year-old twins; control subjects had no history of either disorder. The domains of school success, substance dependence, peer relationships, and age of first sexual intercourse were examined. RESULTS: Overall, each disorder separately and especially both disorders together related to increased maladjustment in the domains of school success and substance dependence. For school behavior problems, nicotine dependence, and drug dependence, the combination of MDD and CD related to particularly problematic functioning. Results were similar for males and females. Longitudinal data indicated that the occurrence of these disorders by late adolescence was predictive of subsequent depression and antisocial behavior in early adulthood. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of CD and MDD relates to more serious maladjustment, especially relating to school success and substance dependence, than would be expected given the adjustment associated with each disorder alone.

Author information

Author/s: Marmorstein, Naomi R (NR); Iacono, William G (WG);

Affiliation: Rutgers University, Department of Psychology, Camden, NJ 08102, USA. marmorst(-atsign-)camden.rutgers.edu

Grants: AA09367 (Agency:NIAAA NIH HHS) ; DA05147 (Agency:NIDA NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.; Twin Study

Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Feb; vol 42 (issue 2) : pp 225-33

Dates: Created 2003/01/24; Completed 2003/02/28; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 12544183, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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