Liu, C., Chow, S. M., Leve, L. D., Shaw, D. S., Ganiban, J. M., Reiss, D. Natsuaki, M. N., & Neiderhiser, J. M. (submitted May 2021). Identifying early risks for the co-development of externalizing and internalizing behaviors from toddlerhood to middle childhood: An example of integrative data analysis

This study examined the co-development of externalizing and internalizing behaviors from 1.5 to 8 years using integrative data analysis to link distinct but developmentally appropriate measures. The sample included 561 adopted children (42% female; 56% Caucasian, 13% African American, 11% Latino, and 20% other), and their birth and adoptive parents. Results revealed overall positive co-development of externalizing and internalizing behaviors, such that developmental changes in externalizing behaviors were positively correlated with developmental changes in internalizing behaviors. Moreover, adoptive parents’ internalizing symptoms were associated with elevated levels of both externalizing and internalizing behaviors throughout childhood. This study illustrates analytic considerations when performing integrative data analysis and provides insight into potential targets to prevent the co-development of externalizing and internalizing behaviors.