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Jessica Maruyama
Mackenzie Presbyterian University
Presenter
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Luciana Tovo-Rodrigues
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Roosevelt Vilar
National Institute of Science and Technology on Social and Affective Neuroscience (INCT-SANI)
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Aluísio Barros
Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
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Iná Santos
Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
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Alicia Matijasevich
Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Abstract
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Different mental health problems are typically studied in isolation, and few studies examine how symptoms co-occur within groups of individuals from childhood to late adolescence. We aimed to examine latent profiles of mental health problems in children, using data from the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort (N = 4231 at baseline, retention rate at 18 years = 85%). Mental health problems were assessed by the parent-report version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) subscales (emotional symptoms, peer problems, conduct problems, and hyperactivity/inattention) at five time points: at ages 6, 11, 15, 17, and 18 years. We run a latent profile analysis (LPA) and the number of classes in the LPA was selected based on the AIC, aBIC, Lo-Mendell-Rubin Adjusted (LTR) test, entropy, and theoretical interpretation. LPA identified five distinct mental health profiles, which were observed across the five data points: well-adjusted (62.7%, 63.3%, 56.4%, 56.8%, and 61.1%), externalizing (4.1%, 9.9%, 3.7%, 4.7%, and 3.9%), internalizing (10.2%. 8.9%, 12.0%, 17.1%, and 14.8%), moderate difficulties (17.3%, 13.4%, 17.4%, 13.6%, and 14.2%), high difficulties (5.5%, 4.5%, 10.6%, 7.8%, and 5.9%). The well-adjusted, internalizing, and externalizing profiles showed similar patterns in the mean scores of each subscale over time, suggesting that certain patterns of mental health problems may persist or evolve in a predictable manner throughout childhood and adolescence. Except for the well-adjusted group, all other profiles presented high levels of hyperactivity symptoms. The findings highlight the importance of early intervention strategies to support emotional and behavioural well-being across development.
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