Citation
Thompson, Richard; Tabone, Jiyoung Kim; Litrownik, Alan J.; Briggs, Ernestine C.; Hussey, Jon M.; English, Diana J.; & Dubowitz, Howard O. (2011). Early Adolescent Risk Behavior Outcomes of Childhood Externalizing Behavioral Trajectories. Journal of Early Adolescence, 31(2), 234-257.Abstract
Little is known about the early childhood indicators of adolescent risk. The link between trajectories of externalizing behavioral problems and early adolescent risk behavior was examined in a longitudinal sample of 875 child participants in the LONGSCAN studies. Five trajectory groups of children defined by externalizing behavior problems were identified: Low, Low-Medium, Moderate, Increasing-High, and High. After controlling for demographics and maltreatment, violent/delinquent behavior was significantly predicted by membership in the Moderate and Increasing-High problem behavior groups. Substance use in early adolescence was significantly predicted by membership in the High behavior problem group. These findings suggest that there is a great deal of continuity between patterns of externalizing behavior in childhood and risk-taking in early adolescence. Understanding the course of externalizing behavior in childhood can help identify children at particular risk for more serious behavioral problems in early adolescence.URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0272431609361203Reference Type
Journal ArticleYear Published
2011Journal Title
Journal of Early AdolescenceAuthor(s)
Thompson, RichardTabone, Jiyoung Kim
Litrownik, Alan J.
Briggs, Ernestine C.
Hussey, Jon M.
English, Diana J.
Dubowitz, Howard O.