The Relationship Between Profiles and Transitions of Problem Behaviour in Elementary-School Children and Engagement in Health-Risk Behaviours in Early Adolescence

Abstract

Data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY), a nationally representative and prospective cohort, was used to explore patterns of problem behaviour in elementary school aged children across time and their association to adolescent health-risk outcomes. Latent profile analyses identified four profiles of problem behaviour: (1) low on all problem behaviours, (2) moderate on all problem behaviours, (3) high on all problem behaviours, and (4) high on hyperactivity/inattention and internalizing. This measurement invariant trend was observed at ages 6/7, 8/9, and 10/11. Transition patterns between these profiles of problem behaviour from ages 6/7 to 10/11 were also identified (n=8,266). The association of these profiles and transition patterns with health-risk outcomes were computed using logistic regression modelling. While patterns of persisting problem behaviour were associated with suicidal thoughts, substance use, and delinquency, they did not differ from the profile at age 10/11 years, where the “Moderate all” and “High all” profiles of problem behaviour predicted the most health-risk outcomes in adolescence. The most recent assessment of problem behaviour in adolescence was as good of a predictor of adolescent health-risk outcomes relative to patterns of problem behaviour across time.