Multi-trajectories of Childhood Externalizing and Internalizing Problems and Adult Criminal, Social, and Economic Outcomes

• In Event: Poster Session 13
  In Poster Session: PS 13 Topic - Developmental Psychopathology

Abstract

Background: Prior evidence suggests that children showing comorbid internalizing and externalizing problems are at risk for worse adult outcomes than those presenting either internalizing or internalizing problems. However, evidence linking such problems with objectively assessed criminal, social, and economic outcomes are scant.
Objective: Using data from a large population-based cohort of children followed-up from 6 to 38 years of age linked with administrative data, our aims were (a) to investigate the association of developmental profiles of childhood externalizing and internalizing problems with criminal, social and economic outcomes in adulthood; and (b) to examine sex differences in these associations.
Hypotheses: We hypothesized that children with comorbid internalizing and externalizing problems will have worse outcomes compared to both children with no problems and with those with only internalizing or externalizing problems.
Participants and measures: Participants (N=3017) were from The Quebec Longitudinal Study of Kindergarten Children, a population-based sample of participants of kindergarteners born in 1980-1981. Childhood internalizing and externalizing problems were assessed yearly from age 6-12 with teacher-reports of the Social Behavior Questionnaire. Outcomes were violent and non-violent convictions (extracted from official judicial records and linked to the cohort); income level (before-taxed personal earnings), partnership status (married/cohabitating) and participation in government welfare programs (all extracted from administrative governmental records and linked to the cohort). Outcome data is available for up to age 22 for criminal records and up to age 38 for the remaining variables.
Analysis: Parallel latent growth curve analysis was used to model multi-trajectories of externalizing and internalizing problems from age 6-12 using Mplus. The identified multi-trajectories were: low problems, displaying low internalizing and low externalizing across time (n=1369,45.35%); internalizing, displaying high internalizing and low externalizing across all time (n=354,11.74%); externalizing, displaying low internalizing and moderate externalizing across time (n=882,29.23%) and; comorbid, displaying moderate and increasing internalizing, and high but stable externalizing (n=413,13.65%). A series of logistic and linear regressions will be conducted in order to determine associations between the identified multi-trajectory groups and the selected outcomes. Children in the comorbid multi-trajectory will be compared to those in the low problems as well as with those in the internalizing and only externalizing trajectories. Sex by multi-trajectory interactions will be added to each model to test whether these associations vary by sex. Key confounders including sex, family structure and parental socioeconomic status will be adjusted for in all analyses.
Feasibility: The proposed analyses are highly feasible given the use of secondary analyses using already collected data that is currently accessible. The parallel latent growth curve analysis has been conducted and multi-trajectories have been derived. Preliminary analyses examining the association between multi-trajectories and all outcomes have been conducted.
Implications: Children experiencing co-developing externalizing and internalizing symptoms may be at a unique risk for maladjustment in adulthood. These results will provide insight into the long-term effects of mental health comorbidity on important social and economic outcomes. Findings may inform the development of preventative interventions for individuals presenting this unique pattern of symptomology throughout childhood.

Authors

• Melissa Commisso, McGill University
  Presenting Author

• Marie-Claude Geoffroy, McGill University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Caroline Temcheff, Université de Sherbrooke
  Non-Presenting Author

• Martine Poirier, Université du Québec à Rimouski
  Non-Presenting Author

• Sara Scardera, McGill University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Marianne Lau, McGill University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Sylvana Cote, Université de Montréal
  Non-Presenting Author

• Frank Vitaro, Université de Montréal
  Non-Presenting Author

• Gustavo Turecki, McGill University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Richard E. Tremblay, University of Montreal
  Non-Presenting Author

• Massimiliano Orri, University of Bordeaux
  Non-Presenting Author