Heterogeneous classes of co-occurring externalizing symptoms in a sample of youth referred for anxiety disorders

J Anxiety Disord. 2013 Apr;27(3):340-6. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2013.02.014. Epub 2013 Mar 26.

Abstract

The present study used latent class analysis to identify patterns of externalizing symptoms in a predominantly Hispanic sample of clinic referred anxious youth (N=224; 6-16 years; 54% males) and their parents. Findings revealed that the sample of youth could be classified into three distinct classes: (1) High Externalizing, (2) Moderate Externalizing, and (3) Low Externalizing. The High Externalizing Class was characterized as having a relatively high probability of all ADHD and aggressive symptoms in the clinical range. The Moderate Externalizing Class was characterized as having a relatively high probability of three symptoms in the clinical range: "argues a lot", "disobedient at home", and "fails to finish." The Low Externalizing Class was characterized as having a relatively low probability of all ADHD and aggressive symptoms in the clinical range. The conceptual, empirical, and clinical implications of the findings are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology
  • Aggression / psychology
  • Anxiety Disorders / complications
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / complications
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / psychology
  • Child
  • Child Behavior / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales