Describing and predicting developmental profiles of externalizing problems from childhood to adulthood.

ABSTRACT: This longitudinal study considers externalizing behavior problems from ages 5 to 27 (N = 585). Externalizing problem ratings by mothers, fathers, teachers, peers, and self-report were modeled with growth curves. Risk and protective factors across many different domains and time frames were included as predictors of the trajectories. A major contribution of the study is in demonstrating how heterotypic continuity and changing measures can be handled in modeling changes in externalizing behavior over long developmental periods. On average, externalizing problems decreased from early childhood to preadolescence, increased during adolescence, and decreased from late adolescence to adulthood. There was strong nonlinear continuity in externalizing problems over time. Family process, peer process

SUBMITTER: Petersen IT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4344932 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature