Young Children's Behavior Adjustment Trajectories: A Latent Growth Curve Analysis

• In Event: Supporting Young Children's Learning and Development

Abstract

This study investigated child behavioral adjustment change from 3K to the 1st grade as well as the effect of children’s demographics on the growth trajectories. The Pediatric Symptom Checklist-17 (PSC-17) teacher ratings of 1399 children were collected over three time points. Latent growth curve model was used to determine the change of behavior adjustment over time. Three findings were noteworthy. First, there is evidence of within- and-between-individual variability in children’s behavior adjustment. Second, initial status was not significantly related to rate of change. Third, males tend to have higher risk of behavior problems at initial time and increase more rapidly in the risk of behavior problems over time. The findings can assist school practitioners seeking to provide assistance to students.

Authors

• Ruiqin Gao, University of South Carolina - Columbia

• Ning Jiang, University of South Carolina - Columbia

• Christine DiStefano, University of South Carolina

• Jin Liu, University of South Carolina - Columbia