Association Between Mental and Physical Health Problems in High-Risk Adolescents: A Longitudinal Study

Aarons, Gregory A.; Monn, Amy R.; Leslie, Laurel K.; Garland, Ann F.; Lugo, Lindsay; Hough, Richard L.; Brown, Sandra A.

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2008.01.013

« Previous Next »Journal of Adolescent Health
Volume 43, Issue 3 , Pages 260-267, September 2008

Association Between Mental and Physical Health Problems in High-Risk Adolescents: A Longitudinal Study

Gregory A. Aarons, Ph.D.
- Child & Adolescent Services Research Center, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California–San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Address correspondence to: Gregory A. Aarons, Ph.D., University of California–San Diego, Child & Adolescent Services Research Center, 3020 Children's Way, MC-5033, San Diego, CA 92123-4282
Amy R. Monn, B.A.
- Child & Adolescent Services Research Center, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Laurel K. Leslie, M.D.
- Child & Adolescent Services Research Center, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California
- Center on Child and Family Outcomes, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
Ann F. Garland, Ph.D.
- Child & Adolescent Services Research Center, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California–San Diego, La Jolla, California
Lindsay Lugo, B.A.
- Child & Adolescent Services Research Center, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California
Richard L. Hough, Ph.D.
- Child & Adolescent Services Research Center, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California
- Departments of Family and Community Medicine and of Psychiatry, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Sandra A. Brown, Ph.D.
- Child & Adolescent Services Research Center, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California–San Diego, La Jolla, California

Received 29 June 2007; accepted 25 January 2008. published online 02 May 2008.

Abstract

Purpose

This longitudinal study examined the relationship between mental and physical health problems in a sample of high-risk youth served in the public sector.

Methods

Participants included youth aged 9–18 years at baseline, randomly sampled from one of five public service sectors in San Diego County, California, and youths may have been active to more than one sector. Diagnoses for mood, anxiety, and disruptive disorders based on structured diagnostic interviews were determined at baseline and data regarding health-related problems were collected 2 years post-baseline.

Results

Mood and disruptive behavior disorders were related to cumulative health problem incidence, as well as aggregate measures of health problems and severe health problems. In addition mood disorder diagnosis was associated with higher rates of infectious diseases, respiratory problems, and weight problems. Disruptive disorder diagnosis was related to higher rates of risk behavior–related health problems.

Conclusions

The present work extends the research on the relationship between mental and physical health problems to adolescents served in the public sector, who are at especially high risk for behavioral and emotional problems. Potential mechanisms by which mental health problems may impact health problems are discussed. We suggest the development of effective interagency cooperation between medical and mental health systems to improve the care of youth with comorbid mental and physical disorders.

Keywords: Health, Mental health, Adolescent, Adolescence, Comorbidity, Health problems