| This study employed a combined person-centered and variable-centered approach to examine the correlates of stability and change in teacher ratings of externalizing behavior in children from economically disadvantaged families. One hundred and forty-six boys and girls and their primary caretakers were followed from preschool at Head Start through the fifth grade. Assessment took place at four points (every two years), and included child interviews, parent interviews, and teacher report. Growth mixture modeling (GMM) classified children into different groups according to the pattern of their externalizing behavior across the four time points. We found evidence for five unique trajectories of externalizing behavior in male and female children: a stable, low externalizing trajectory, a stable, high externalizing trajectory, a new problem trajectory, a low to moderate trajectory, and a moderate to high trajectory. After identifying our subgroups, we employed general growth mixture modeling (GGMM) to identify different variables associated with each of these growth trajectories. Income, child verbal ability, child impulsivity, parental maladjustment, family instability, and harsh parenting were significantly associated with membership into the trajectory classes. However, these predictors lacked predictive specificity. Characteristics of the children in each class are described. Implications are discussed and limitations of the study are addressed. |
