Longitudinal Growth Curve Analyses Research Articles

How do social and academic integration develop over time? Longitudinal analyses of differences based on students’ sociodemographic background

ABSTRACT Although social and academic integration are considered significant predictors of academic success, little is known about their longitudinal development. In addition, cross-sectional research indicates differences in the integration process based on the sociodemographic background of students, but lacks longitudinal confirmation, especially in Germany. This research gap was addressed by examining students’ integration across three years with measures at four time points (N = 4270) based on data from the National Educational Panel Study (NEPS) in Germany. Longitudinal growth curve analyses were conducted considering interindividual differences between four groups: first-generation students with and without a migration background, and continuing-generation students with and without a migration background. Differences in students’ social and academic integration, measured by several sub-dimensions, partly supported expected advantages for students from academic backgrounds without a migration background, both at the first time point and regarding the longitudinal development. Nevertheless, these differences were small and partly accompanied by non-significant findings highlighting similarities across students. Assumptions about differences between students and implications for future research on the longitudinal development of student integration are discussed.

Trajectories of Violent and Nonviolent Behaviors From Adolescence to Early Adulthood: Does Early Puberty Matter, and, If So, How Long?

PurposeIt is well known that pubertal timing affects adolescents' externalizing behaviors, but it is unknown if this effect lasts into adulthood. This study assessed if and when the early maturation effect wanes, specifically in two domains of externalizing behaviors: nonviolent and violent behaviors. MethodsUsing data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) that include age-appropriate items of violent and nonviolent behaviors assessed from ages 11–30 over four waves (N = 4,255), we conducted a series of longitudinal growth curve analyses to evaluate the effect of pubertal timing on the trajectories of nonviolent and violent externalizing behaviors for males and females. ResultsCompared to later maturing male peers, early maturing males reported significantly elevated overall externalizing, nonviolent, and violent behaviors throughout adolescence, but became indistinguishable from on-time and late-maturing counterparts in young adulthood. Similarly, early maturing females showed higher levels of overall externalizing and nonviolent behaviors than later maturing counterparts, but no effect of pubertal timing was seen on the trajectories of violent behaviors. However, early maturing females' overall externalizing and nonviolent behaviors also became indistinguishable from on-time and late-maturing females after adolescence. ConclusionsThese findings clarify the differential effect of early maturation on nonviolent and violent behaviors, especially in females, and highlight the short-lived nature of the effects of early pubertal timing.

Does Incorporating a Measure of Clinical Workload Improve Workplace-Based Assessment Scores? Insights for Measurement Precision and Longitudinal Score Growth From Ten Pediatrics Residency Programs.

This study investigates the impact of incorporating observer-reported workload into workplace-based assessment (WBA) scores on (1) psychometric characteristics of WBA scores and (2) measuring changes in performance over time using workload-unadjusted versus workload-adjusted scores. Structured clinical observations and multisource feedback instruments were used to collect WBA data from first-year pediatrics residents at 10 residency programs between July 2016 and June 2017. Observers completed items in 8 subcompetencies associated with Pediatrics Milestones. Faculty and resident observers assessed workload using a sliding scale ranging from low to high; all item scores were rescaled to a 1-5 scale to facilitate analysis and interpretation. Workload-adjusted WBA scores were calculated at the item level using three different approaches, and aggregated for analysis at the competency level. Mixed-effects regression models were used to estimate variance components. Longitudinal growth curve analyses examined patterns of developmental score change over time. On average, participating residents (n = 252) were assessed 5.32 times (standard deviation = 3.79) by different raters during the data collection period. Adjusting for workload yielded better discrimination of learner performance, and higher reliability, reducing measurement error by 28%. Projections in reliability indicated needing up to twice the number of raters when workload-unadjusted scores were used. Longitudinal analysis showed an increase in scores over time, with significant interaction between workload and time; workload also increased significantly over time. Incorporating a measure of observer-reported workload could improve the measurement properties and the ability to interpret WBA scores.

A longitudinal population study of literacy and numeracy outcomes for children identified with speech, language, and communication needs in early childhood

Speech and language competence in early childhood can influence academic achievement at school. The aim of this research was to examine longitudinal progress in literacy and numeracy achievement from age 8 through 12 years for children identified as typically developing or with speech and language concern (SLC) based on parent-reported concern about speech and language at ages 4–5 and 6–7 years. Participants were 4322 children in the K(indergarten) cohort and 4073 children in the B(irth) cohort of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC). The majority of children identified with SLC had not accessed speech-language pathology services. Linked data from national testing of literacy and numeracy achievement were analysed for the K cohort in Grades 3, 5, and 7, and for the B cohort in Grade 3. Cross-sectional analyses showed that children with SLC achieved lower scores for reading, writing, spelling, grammar, and numeracy at all assessment points than children with typical speech and language skills. Results for all children, however, were above the national minimum standard for each grade level. Longitudinal growth curve analyses showed no difference in the growth trajectories for literacy and numeracy test scores for children in the typically developing and SLC groups, suggesting that SLC children showed typical patterns of progression but did not catch up to the levels achieved by their typically developing peers.

School-Based Interventions for Anxious Children: Long-Term Follow-Up.

This study examined the long-term outcomes of a nonclinical sample of anxious children (N=61) who were randomized by school to 9weeks of group cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for children, group CBT for children plus parent training, or no-treatment control. Parents and children completed measures of anxiety symptoms at baseline, posttreatment, and at 3-, 6-, 12-month, 2-, and 3-year posttreatment follow-ups. Piecewise longitudinal growth curve analyses were applied to the data. When the two CBT groups were combined and compared with control, the combined treatment group showed significantly greater reduction in children's anxiety severity based on the parent ratings in the first longitudinal phase. However, on the parent Clinician Severity Rating, gains were maintained to 3years. Child report revealed no significant differences between groups on anxiety reduction. This study maintained a small no-treatment control group during the entire follow-up period. From parental perspective only, school-based group CBT appeared to be beneficial in decreasing severity of anxiety symptoms and maintaining gains over time.

School-based mental health intervention for children in war-affected Burundi: a cluster randomized trial.

BackgroundArmed conflicts are associated with a wide range of impacts on the mental health of children and adolescents. We evaluated the effectiveness of a school-based intervention aimed at reducing symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety (treatment aim); and improving a sense of hope and functioning (preventive aim).MethodsWe conducted a cluster randomized trial with 329 children in war-affected Burundi (aged 8 to 17 (mean 12.29 years, standard deviation 1.61); 48% girls). One group of children (n = 153) participated in a 15-session school-based intervention implemented by para-professionals, and the remaining 176 children formed a waitlist control condition. Outcomes were measured before, one week after, and three months after the intervention.ResultsNo main effects of the intervention were identified. However, longitudinal growth curve analyses showed six favorable and two unfavorable differences in trajectories between study conditions in interaction with several moderators. Children in the intervention condition living in larger households showed decreases on depressive symptoms and function impairment, and those living with both parents showed decreases on posttraumatic stress disorder and depressive symptoms. The groups of children in the waitlist condition showed increases in depressive symptoms. In addition, younger children and those with low levels of exposure to traumatic events in the intervention condition showed improvements on hope. Children in the waitlist condition who lived on their original or newly bought land showed improvements in hope and function impairment, whereas children in the intervention condition showed deterioration on these outcomes.ConclusionsGiven inconsistent effects across studies, findings do not support this school-based intervention as a treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder and depressive symptoms in conflict-affected children. The intervention appears to have more consistent preventive benefits, but these effects are contingent upon individual (for example, age, gender) and contextual (for example, family functioning, state of conflict, displacement) variables. Results suggest the potential benefit of school-based preventive interventions particularly in post-conflict settings.Trial registrationThe study was registered as ISRCTN42284825

Trajectories of math and reading achievement in low-achieving children in elementary school: Effects of early and later retention in grade.

This study investigated the effects of retention or promotion in first grade on growth trajectories in mathematics and reading achievement over the elementary school years (grades 1-5). From a large multiethnic sample (n = 784) of children who were below the median in literacy at school entrance, 363 children who were either promoted (n = 251) or retained (n = 112) in first grade could be successfully matched on 72 background variables. Achievement was measured annually using Woodcock-Johnson W scores; scores of retained children were shifted back one year to permit same-grade comparisons. Using longitudinal growth curve analysis, trajectories of math and reading scores for promoted and retained children were compared. Retained children received a one year boost in achievement; this boost fully dissipated by the end of elementary school. The pattern of subsequent retention in grades 2, 3 and 4 and placement in special education of the sample during the elementary school years is also described and their effects are explored. Policy implications for interventions for low achieving children are considered.

Effects of Prenatal Cocaine Exposure on Growth: A Longitudinal Analysis

There has been a limited amount of research on the long-term effects of prenatal cocaine exposure on growth of the infant, and there has been no use of longitudinal growth models. We investigated the effects of prenatal cocaine exposure on offspring growth from 1 through 10 years of age by using a repeated-measures growth-curve model. Women were enrolled from a prenatal clinic and interviewed at the end of each trimester of pregnancy about their cocaine, crack, alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and other drug use. Fifty percent of the women were white, and 50% were black. Follow-up assessments occurred at 1, 3, 7, and 10 years of age. Cross-sectional analyses showed that children exposed to cocaine during the first trimester (n = 99) were smaller on all growth parameters at 7 and 10 years, but not at 1 or 3 years, than the children who were not exposed to cocaine during the first trimester (n = 125). The longitudinal analyses indicated that the growth curves for the 2 groups diverged over time: children who were prenatally exposed to cocaine grew at a slower rate than children who were not exposed. These analyses controlled for other factors associated with child growth. To our knowledge, this is the first study of the long-term effects of prenatal cocaine exposure to conduct longitudinal growth-curve analyses using 4 time points in childhood. Children who were exposed to cocaine during the first trimester grew at a slower rate than those who were not exposed. These findings indicate that prenatal cocaine exposure has a lasting effect on child development.

Randomized controlled evaluation of an early intervention to prevent post-rape psychopathology

A randomized between-group design was used to evaluate the efficacy of a video intervention to reduce post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health problems, implemented prior to the forensic medical examination conducted within 72 h post-sexual assault. Participants were 140 female victims of sexual assault (68 video/72 nonvideo) aged 15 years or older. Assessments were targeted for 6 weeks (Time 1) and 6 months (Time 2) post-assault. At Time 1, the intervention was associated with lower scores on measures of PTSD and depression among women with a prior rape history relative to scores among women with a prior rape history in the standard care condition. At Time 2, depression scores were also lower among those with a prior rape history who were in the video relative to the standard care condition. Small effects indicating higher PTSD and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) scores among women without a prior rape history in the video condition were observed at Time 1. Accelerated longitudinal growth curve analysis indicated a video×prior rape history interaction for PTSD, yielding four patterns of symptom trajectory over time. Women with a prior rape history in the video condition generally maintained the lowest level of symptoms.

Big Five personality development in adolescence and adulthood

The present article examines Big Five personality development across adolescence and middle adulthood. Two adolescents and their fathers and mothers from 285 Dutch families rated their own and their family members' personality. Using accelerated longitudinal growth curve analyses, mean level change in Big Five factors was estimated. For boys, Extraversion and Openness decreased and for girls, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness increased. Whereas mothers' Emotional Stability and Conscientiousness increased, fathers' Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Emotional Stability decreased. Differences in self‐ and other‐reported personality change were found, as well as interindividual differences in personality change. Results confirm that personality change is possible across the life course but these changes are not similar for all individuals and depend on the type of observer. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Using patient self‐report data to evaluate orofacial surgical outcomes

This study analyzes results of 336 patients treated for mandible fractures at King/Drew Medical Center in South Central Los Angeles, California from August 1996 to December 2001. Subjects were enrolled in a prospective study to evaluate the association between patient's subjective evaluation and objective clinical evaluations on three surgical outcome measures following orofacial surgery. Subjects were assessed at four time periods--hospital discharge, 10 days post-discharge, 1 month post-discharge and 6 months post-discharge. Three outcome measures were utilized to represent perceived health and oral health-related quality of life--General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI); Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5); and a single-item self-reported health status measure. GOHAI scores at 1 month (mean=31.5, SD=9.5) were not substantially higher than at 10 days (mean=28.6, SD=8.8), but scores did improve substantially by 6 months (mean=42.6, SD=10.6). Mean mental health scores ranged from 17.7 at 10 days to 18.0 at 1 month and 18.6 at 6 months. Mean self-reported health status score were approximately 2.2 at all recalls, describing health as 'good.' A longitudinal growth curve analysis of GOHAI scores over four time periods indicated a significantly higher average intercept for the maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) treatment group (29.67) than in the rigid internal fixation (RIF) treatment group (25.38). Meanwhile, the increase in GOHAI scores over time was significantly greater in the RIF group than in the MMF group, resulting in scores being comparable between groups after 6 months. By implication, patients with MMF self-report fewer problems in the early days after placement of the intra-arch wire compared with patients with RIF.

Alcohol Involvement and Marital Quality in the Early Years of Marriage: A Longitudinal Growth Curve Analysis

Previous research suggests that becoming married is associated with declines in drinking. The current study examines two potential influences on newly married husbands' and wives' drinking trajectories, the impact of the partner's drinking and the quality of the marriage. Couples (n=592) were assessed at the time of their first marriage, at the first anniversary, and at the second anniversary. Husbands and wives completed separate, self-administered questionnaires at home. Latent growth curve analysis was used to examine husbands' and wives' alcohol use and marital quality trajectories and to test the bi-directional relationships between alcohol involvement and marital quality both within and between couple members. Husbands' and wives' alcohol involvement and marital quality declined over time and there was significant individual variability in these changes over time. Although we failed to find any longitudinal influence of greater alcohol involvement on declines in marital quality or vice versa, individuals' marital quality and alcohol involvement were correlated at the time of marriage and individuals' changes in drinking were significantly associated with changes in their reported marital satisfaction. There were also significant correlations observed between one partner's alcohol involvement slope and the spouse's marital quality slope, indicating that steeper declines in husbands' and wives' drinking were associated with less steep declines in their partner's marital quality. There is clearly an association between husbands' and wives' alcohol use and marital quality. However, given the absence of longitudinal effects, we cannot discern the temporal precedence of this association. Additional research is needed to more fully understand this complex relationship.

Family Protection and Prevention of Alcohol Use Among Hispanic Youth at High Risk

Research regarding prevention strategies for Hispanic youth stress the importance of family interventions because of the particular importance of family as a protective factor within the Hispanic community. Starting in 1995, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention conducted the National Cross-Site Evaluation of High Risk Youth Programs, a 5-year drug and alcohol prevention study with a sample of approximately 10,500 youth, including nearly 3,000 Hispanic youth. Youth were surveyed regarding their alcohol use patterns and risk and protective factors, with several measures of family relationships, including family connectedness, family supervision, and parental attitudes toward their child's alcohol use. Analyses indicate that family factors are highly linked to alcohol use among Hispanics, particularly among Hispanic females. Longitudinal growth curve analyses indicate that improving the connections that young Hispanic females have to their parents can have positive long-term effects on delaying or reducing their alcohol use.

Alcohol and cognitive performance: a longitudinal study of older Japanese Americans. The Kame Project

Recent data demonstrate that moderate consumption of alcohol (13-52 grams of ethanol per day) may be beneficial to cognitive functioning among older adults. Longitudinal growth curve analyses controlling for baseline age, body mass index (BMI), education/income, migrant status, smoking, history of diagnosed stroke, hypertension, coronary heart disease (CHD), depression, diabetes and stroke (time-varying) were used to examine the relationship between alcohol consumption, gender and cognitive performance over an 8-year follow-up period. The sample included 1624 Japanese American community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older who were cognitively intact at baseline and participated in at least one follow-up examination. Cognitive performance was measured using the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI; 0-100 point scale), a global test of cognitive function. Current consumers (n = 480) scored significantly (p < 0.05) higher on CASI (mean rate of change-1.22 CASI units) over the 8-year follow-up period than past consumers or abstainers (n = 1144; mean rate of change-3.77 CASI units). There was no significant main effect for gender, or an alcohol and gender interaction. This study provides further support regarding the beneficial effects of moderate alcohol consumption on cognitive performance over time. Observed benefits were not modified by gender. Future studies need to determine whether alcohol preserves cognition directly or whether other factors such as physiology or cultural drinking practices are driving the observed association.