3-043 - Identifying Predictors of Adolescent Outcomes Using Longitudinal Data and Diverse Diagnostic Populations

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Integrative Statement

Research in child development has focused primarily on relating early childhood variables, such as vocabulary or parenting, to childhood outcomes, such as academic success or behavior problems. However, less is understood about how individual differences in child characteristics and family environments continue to affect development over longer periods of time. The process of distinguishing early childhood variables that exert influence through middle childhood and into adolescence will create a set of key targets for early intervention. Further, elucidating the mechanisms through which these variables act over time is essential to continue to provide informed interventions later in development.

The papers in this symposium each draw upon longitudinal data to provide insight into these areas. The first two papers will examine how early parenting and child temperament (age 3-5) affect the trajectory of internalizing problems and global functioning in adolescence (age 15). The second two papers seek to identify not only predictive relationships between early childhood variables (i.e., genetic traits, joint attention) and later adolescent outcomes, but also pinpoint specific mediators in middle childhood. All papers take advantage of complex statistical methods, such as longitudinal growth curve modeling, structural equation modeling, and multiple mediation.

An additional strength of this symposium is its inclusion of diverse child populations, including children with typical development as well as children with intellectual disability, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. Several papers will explore diagnostic status as a moderator to determine whether identified processes are unique to specific populations, or to child development more broadly.

Sub Unit

• Developmental Psychopathology

Chair

• Keith Crnic, Arizona State University

Individual Presentations

• Predictors of Internalizing Behavior Trajectories in Children with or without ID from Early Childhood to Adolescence - Presenting Author: Naomi Viviana Rodas, University of CA, Los Angeles; Bruce L. Baker, University of California, Los Angeles

• Early Childhood Predictors of a Latent Variable of Global Competence in Adolescence - Presenting Author: Christine Moody, University of California, Los Angeles; Naomi Viviana Rodas, University of CA, Los Angeles; Amanda N. Norona, University of California, Los Angeles; Jan Blacher, University of California, Riverside; Bruce L. Baker, University of California, Los Angeles

• Dimensions of Executive Function as Mediators of the Association between Dopamine Regulating Genes and Youth Social Functioning - Presenting Author: Michelle Fenesy, UCLA; Steve Lee, UCLA

• Early Joint Attention and Later Peer Interactions Predict Young Adult Outcomes in Autism - Presenting Author: Rebecca M Jones, Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, Weill Cornell Medicine; Andrew Pickles, Kings College London; Catherine Lord, Weill Cornell Medical College