The study attempts to identify adulthood impairments associated with experiencing either major depression or drug abuse/dependence in late adolescence, distinguishing between general impairments for both disorders and specific impairments for each disorder. This analysis drew data from a longitudinal, community-based study, tracing the psychosocial development of a single-aged cohort from childhood to early adulthood. The data gathered focused on two time points: age 18 and age 21. The study sample consisted of 365 early adults who were earlier participants in a study beginning in 1977 when they were 5 years old. Results indicated that even though several serious impairments at age 21 were common to both depressed and drug-disordered youths, notably suicidal behavior, the majority of deficits were unique to either disorder. In addition, a distinct pattern was followed for the deficits that were unique to each diagnosis; depression was most closely associated with later internalizing problems; and adolescent drug disorders predicted externalizing difficulties. These deficits showed the need for distinct intervention and rehabilitation strategies aimed at curtailing the continuing impairments associated with these disorders. Additional research suggests an analysis of the gender differences in specific impairments for both disorders and evaluations of emerging treatment interventions designed to prevent those identified multiple impairments. References