They found that children who were described by their teachers as 'un happy' or 'miserable' were most likely to suffer from ill health by mid-age. They were also prone to depression. The study involved the kids born in the Aberdeen in the 1950s.
Teachers of these students were asked about their temperament and school attendance, later these individuals were tracked down and questioned about their lives. It was found that 392 were unable to work because of permanent disability or ill-health - 5.5 percent of the total questioned. This could have included those retired through illness and those on incapacity benefit.
It was found that about a quarter of those who were reported by their teachers to be distressed and miserable were sick or disabled by middle-age. Those who also complained about aches and pain were also off sick with ill health. However, those who were off school because of poor physical health were no more likely to end up as adults off work sick.
"We can't say these childhood trends cause the ill-health later in life, but they certainly seem to be a contributing factor," the BBC quoted lead author Dr Max Henderson, as saying.
"Based on previous research, we suspect these groups are more susceptible to depression and anxiety, which of course is a major cause of being off work," he added.