Badly-behaved children more at risk of pain in middle-age

Badly-behaved children are more likely to have chronic widespread pain (CWP) when they reach middle age. A team of researchers led by Dr Dong Pang from Aberdeen University carried out a long-term study of 19,478 people. When they were 7,11 an 16 parents and teachers, working independently, assessed their behaviour including restlessness, worrying, solitariness, ability to make friends, obedience, stealing, lying and bullying. At 42 the participants completed a questionnaire asking them about psychological distress in their adult life and at 45 they completed another one about pain. 12.9% of the women and 11.7% of men suffered from CWP at 45 but those people who had had severe and persistent behaviour problems at 7,11 and 16 were at double the risk of having CWP later. Bad behaviour in childhoood is also asssociated with adult mental-health problems such as depression, anxiety, suicidal behaviours and substance abuse.

You can find out more about this research at

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100309202920.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Latest+Science+News%29&utm_content=Google+Reader