The Outcome of Adolescent Depression in the Ontario Child Health Study Follow-up

Outcome data from a longitudinal community-based study are presented for 652 adolescents who had a major depressive syndrome (MDS), conduct disorder (CD), both disorders, or neither disorder at the study inception. In general, it was found that both MDS and CD carried with them significant psychiatric and psychosocial morbidity 4 years later. Statistical comparisons between the MDS and CD groups were not significant for any outcome but were suggestive of distinct outcomes for these two disorders. Findings for the "mixed" MDS and CD group are presented and the nosological status of this group is discussed.