The relationship between profiles and transitions of internalizing and externalizing symptoms in children and suicidal thoughts in early adolescence

Dylan Johnson, John D McLennan, Jon Heron, Ian Colman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)
264 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Adolescence is a high-risk period for the onset of suicidal thoughts and behaviours. Identification of preceding patterns of internalizing and externalizing symptoms that are associated with subsequent suicidal thoughts may offer a better understanding of how to prevent adolescent suicide.

METHODS
Data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY), a prospective population-based Canadian cohort, contained Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) items which were used to examine profiles and transitions of internalizing and externalizing symptoms in children, aged 6 – 11 years (n=8,266). The association between these profiles/transitions and suicidal thoughts in adolescents were examined using multivariate logistic regression modelling.

RESULTS
Latent profile analyses identified four measurement invariant profiles of internalizing and externalizing symptoms at ages 6/7 and 10/11: (1) low on all symptoms, (2) moderate on all symptoms, (3) high on all symptoms, and (4) high on hyperactivity/inattention and internalizing. Recurrent (homotypic or heterotypic) and increasing symptoms from 6/7 to 10/11 were associated with suicidal thoughts in adolescence, compared to those with stable low symptoms. Those with decreasing symptoms from 6/7 to 10/11 were not at increased risk of suicidal thought in adolescence.

CONCLUSIONS
While patterns of recurrent symptoms were associated with suicidal thoughts, a similar association was observed between profiles at age 10/11 years and suicidal thoughts. This suggests that the recent assessments of mental health symptoms in children may be as sufficient a predictor of adolescent suicidal thought as transition profiles.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages9
JournalPsychological Medicine
Early online date2 Oct 2019
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 2 Oct 2019

Keywords

  • adolescence
  • childhood
  • externalizing
  • internalizing
  • suicidal thoughts

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The relationship between profiles and transitions of internalizing and externalizing symptoms in children and suicidal thoughts in early adolescence'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this