Multi-Trajectories of Conduct Problems, Hyperactivity/Inattention, and Peer Problems Across Childhood: Results from the Growing Up in Scotland Birth Cohort

Abstract

Using a person-centred approach, this study inspected multi-trajectories of conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention and peer problems, and associated risk factors for group membership. The sample included 3,578 children (50.8% males) from a population birth cohort in Scotland (Growing Up in Scotland). The parental version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used when children were 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10 years old. Antecedent factors at the perinatal, child, and family levels were collected using parental reports, observation, and standardised assessments at 10, 24, and 36 months. A group-based multi-trajectory analysis was employed. Findings showed that a six-group model best fit the data. Identified groups included non-engagers, normative, decreasing externalising/low peer problems, low externalising/moderate peer problems, moderate externalising/increasing peer problems and multimorbid moderate-high chronic. Findings suggest multimorbidity between externalising behaviours and peer problems in the more elevated groups. Two common protective factors emerged across all groups: caregiver mental health and parent-infant attachment. Identified risk factors were specific to group membership. Risk factors for the most elevated group included single-parent status, social deprivation, previous neonatal intensive care unit admission, child sex, whilst children’s expressive language was a protective factor. Taken together, findings contribute to the emerging literature modelling trajectories of externalising behaviours and peer problems simultaneously and have important practical implications for prevention of problems in childhood, by identifying targets at the perinatal, child, and family levels.

Gender differences in the development of children’s conduct problems: A four-year longitudinal study

“…Most children follow a normative trajectory, and many of those with early-onset CP tend to exhibit a signi cant decline later in development (Barker & Maughan, 2009). However, approximately 5% of children exhibit a persistent CP trajectory that lasts throughout adolescence (Morales et al, 2023). This trajectory is related to higher future levels of CP and is one of the strongest predictors of substance abuse, antisocial behavior, and delinquency (Odgers et al, 2008).…”

Joint clustering multiple longitudinal features: A comparison of methods and software packages with practical guidance

“…For example, cluster analysis has been applied to understand developmental trajectories of mental health issues based on features of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder, internalizing and externalizing symptoms in childhood and adolescence, 30 to identify engagement patterns based on features of treatment adherence and retention in care among new antiretroviral therapy starters, 31 and to identify health care utilization patterns based on features of hospitalization, emergency department and physician office visits in children with respiratory diseases 32 . See References 33‐35 for additional examples. However, joint clustering of multiple longitudinal features is challenging and several key issues need to be considered during the modeling process, such as the dependence between and within features, mixed (eg, continuous and categorical) data types, features with distinct sets of measurement time, distinct number of measurements between individuals and features, missing data as well as determining the number of clusters.…”

Gender differences in the development of conduct problems: trajectories, predictors, and outcomes through childhood

“…Most children follow a normative trajectory, and many of those with early-onset CP tend to exhibit a signi cant decline later in development [6]. However, approximately 5% of children exhibit a persistent CP trajectory that lasts throughout adolescence [7]. This trajectory is related to higher future levels of CP and is one of the strongest predictors of substance abuse, antisocial behaviour, and delinquency [8].…”