Profiles of internalized and externalized problems

The “10 to 18 study” began in 2001-02 as a study of adolescent problem development. It was financed over 5 waves. The major focus was on externalizing problems but internalizing problems were included as well. The study was designed to build on current advancements in knowledge regarding the roles family, peers and individual characteristics play in the development of youth problems. A unique feature was the whole-community design, which provided ecologically valid data about peer relationships. The database contains 4000 variables and 4500 individuals. It holds a wealth of information about adolescent problem development. Meanwhile, the participants are progressing to the next stage of development—the transition to adulthood. In this transition, people make choices that set the boundaries for their future lives, which in turn are affected by problems developed during adolescence. In 2008 the original 10- to 18-year-old youths will be 16 to 24 years. As such, they will provide cross-sectional coverage of the adulthood-transition period, about 330 participants in each age cohort. The present project complements the dataset with data on adult transition issues e.g. relationships with friends, lovers, and family; education and work; and internal and external adjustment. These data will provide the basis for answering questions that are at the center of current research on the co-occurrences of different externalizing and internalizing problems, and their long-term consequences.