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Psychiatric disorders during adolescence and relationships with peers from age 17 to age 27

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Abstract

Objective

To investigate normative patterns of peer relationships from ages 17 to 27, and to examine the impact of adolescent psychiatric disorders on peer relationships.

Method

Psychiatric disorders were measured at a mean age 16 years. At mean age 29, 200 participants completed detailed narrative interviews about their transition to adulthood. Monthly contact and conflict with peers were described in narratives covering ages 17–27.

Results

Adolescent psychiatric disorders did not predict the frequency of peer contact in the young adult period. However, adolescent disruptive disorders predicted greater peer conflict regardless of contact frequency. Adolescents with major depressive or substance abuse disorders and subsequent high frequency of peer contact reported elevated peer conflict during the transition to adulthood. In contrast, among study participants with frequent peer contact during this period, those with adolescent anxiety disorders reported less peer conflict than did those without such a diagnostic history.

Conclusions

Adolescents with major depressive, disruptive, and substance abuse disorders may be at risk for long-term negative peer relationships, whereas those with anxiety disorders may subsequently avoid peer conflict.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA

    Henian Chen MD, PhD, Patricia Cohen PhD, Jeffrey G. Johnson PhD & Stephanie Kasen PhD

  2. Division of Biostatistics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA

    Henian Chen MD, PhD

  3. Dept. of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Henian Chen MD, PhD, Patricia Cohen PhD, Jeffrey G. Johnson PhD & Stephanie Kasen PhD

  4. Columbia University/NYSPI, 100 Haven Avenue, 31F, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Henian Chen MD, PhD

  5. Dept. of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Patricia Cohen PhD

Authors
  1. Henian Chen MD, PhD
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  2. Patricia Cohen PhD
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  3. Jeffrey G. Johnson PhD
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  4. Stephanie Kasen PhD
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Correspondence to Henian Chen MD, PhD.

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Chen, H., Cohen, P., Johnson, J.G. et al. Psychiatric disorders during adolescence and relationships with peers from age 17 to age 27. Soc Psychiat Epidemiol 44, 223–230 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-008-0421-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-008-0421-2

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