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This paper examines early adult outcomes of truancy regarding family formation and health-related behaviour, and is based on data collected in the National Child Development Study, which surveyed all people in Great Britain born in the week 3-9 March 1958, at birth, and at ages 7, 11, 16 and 23. Truants compared to non-truants were found to be relatively more likely to have experienced marital breakdown by the age of 23. They had more children, and their age at the birth of their first child was younger. Truants differed little from non-truants regarding their drinking habits, but were more prone to being heavy smokers. They also showed an increased likelihood of depression. Differences remained after controlling for social background, prior educational attainment, school attendance and qualifications obtained. The authors conclude that truancy appears to be associated with subsequent marital and psychological problems in early adulthood.

This paper presents some findings of a study into early adult outcomes of truancy, which was based on the National Child Development Study, a longitudinal survey of all people in Great Britain born in the week 3rd-9th March 1958. It was found that truancy is associated with lower status occupations, less stable career patterns and more unemployment. Among those who were working, former truants' incomes were not lower, but they were considerably less well off once their family situation was taken into account. Differences remained after controlling for the effects of social background, educational ability, poor attendance due to other reasons, and end-of-school qualifications. The authors conclude that truancy is a predictor of employment problems, and of a more severe kind than will be experienced by others who share the disadvantaged background and low attainment which typify the truant.

The constancy of ratings of behaviour made at home and school between the ages of 7--11, 11--16 and 7--16 is examined. There were moderate correlations between ratings at the different ages (0.31--0.48) but the majority of children in the 'deviant' (top 13 per cent) group at one age had moved out of that group by a later follow-up (4, 5 or 9 years later). Certain characteristics (social class, sex, family size and birth order) of children with different patterns of ratings at the three ages are also examined.