Co-occurrence, stability and manifestation of child and adolescent mental health problems: a latent transition analysis

TY - JOUR

T1 - Co-occurrence, stability and manifestation of child and adolescent mental health problems: a latent transition analysis

AU - Göbel, Kristin

AU - Ortelbach, Niklas

AU - Cohrdes, Caroline

AU - Baumgarten, Franz

AU - Meyrose, Ann-Katrin

AU - Ravens-Sieberer, Ulrike

AU - Scheithauer, Herbert

N1 - © 2022. The Author(s).

PY - 2022/11/14

Y1 - 2022/11/14

N2 - BACKGROUND: Complex constellations of socio-emotional and behavioural problems (i.e., mental health problems) in childhood and adolescence are common and heighten the risk for subsequent personality, anxiety and mood disorders in adulthood. Aims of this study included the examination of patterns of mental health problems (e.g., externalizing-internalizing co-occurrence) and their transitions to reported mental disorders by using a longitudinal person-centered approach (latent class and latent transition analysis).METHODS: The sample consisted of 1255 children and adolescents (51.7% female, mean age = 12.3 years, age range 8-26 years) from three time points of the comprehensive mental health and wellbeing BELLA study. Children and their parents completed the German SDQ (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire, Goodman, 1997) and reported on diagnoses of ADHD, depression, and anxiety.RESULTS: Latent class analysis identified a normative class, an emotional problem class, and a multiple problem class. According to latent transition analysis, the majority of the sample (91.6%) did not change latent class membership over time; 14.7% of individuals showed a persistent pattern of mental health problems. Diagnoses of mental disorders were more likely to be reported by individuals in the emotional problem or multiple problem class.CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight the need for early prevention of mental health problems to avoid accumulation and manifestation in the transition to adolescence and young adulthood.

AB - BACKGROUND: Complex constellations of socio-emotional and behavioural problems (i.e., mental health problems) in childhood and adolescence are common and heighten the risk for subsequent personality, anxiety and mood disorders in adulthood. Aims of this study included the examination of patterns of mental health problems (e.g., externalizing-internalizing co-occurrence) and their transitions to reported mental disorders by using a longitudinal person-centered approach (latent class and latent transition analysis).METHODS: The sample consisted of 1255 children and adolescents (51.7% female, mean age = 12.3 years, age range 8-26 years) from three time points of the comprehensive mental health and wellbeing BELLA study. Children and their parents completed the German SDQ (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire, Goodman, 1997) and reported on diagnoses of ADHD, depression, and anxiety.RESULTS: Latent class analysis identified a normative class, an emotional problem class, and a multiple problem class. According to latent transition analysis, the majority of the sample (91.6%) did not change latent class membership over time; 14.7% of individuals showed a persistent pattern of mental health problems. Diagnoses of mental disorders were more likely to be reported by individuals in the emotional problem or multiple problem class.CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight the need for early prevention of mental health problems to avoid accumulation and manifestation in the transition to adolescence and young adulthood.

KW - Child

KW - Adolescent

KW - Humans

KW - Female

KW - Young Adult

KW - Adult

KW - Male

KW - Mental Health

KW - Longitudinal Studies

KW - Mental Disorders/epidemiology

KW - Parents/psychology

KW - Problem Behavior

U2 - 10.1186/s40359-022-00969-4

DO - 10.1186/s40359-022-00969-4

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 36376939

VL - 10

JO - BMC PSYCHOL

JF - BMC PSYCHOL

SN - 2050-7283

IS - 1

M1 - 267

ER -