Investigating The Underlying Structure And Stability Of Problem Behaviors Across Adolescence

Data collected as part of the Projects on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (PHDCN) were used to examine (1) the underlying structure of adolescent problem behavior, (2) continuity and change in patterns of problem behaviors across mid to late adolescence and (3) the risk and protective factors related to observed patterns of behavior. The data used in this study were taken from Waves 2 and 3 of Cohorts 12 and 15 of PHDCN (n = 1,124). The results suggested that a 4-class categorical model (i.e., latent class analysis) best represents the pattern of responses to behavioral items used to measure delinquency, substance use, and risky sexual practices. The analyses revealed patterns of stability, escalation, and de-escalation, as well as differential risk across the four groups. Implications for understanding problem behaviors and prevention and intervention strategy are discussed. © 2013 International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology