The significance of childhood neurosis for adult mental health: a follow-up study

Abstract

The author compared the mental health of 42 young adults who had suffered from a neurosis in childhood with that of 20 control subjects. Various aspects of functioning were clinically assessed using the Current and Past Psychopathology Scales and the Health-Sickness Rating Scale. More than 75% of the former patients were at least mildly ill at follow-up, compared with only 15% of the control group. Intergroup differences in diagnoses and symptoms are described. The findings establish the fact that neurotic children require much more effective treatment than they have traditionally received in order to attain a good prognosis for adult mental health.