The development of externalizing symptoms from late childhood through adolescence: A longitudinal study of Mexican-origin youth

Testing the temporal precedence of family functioning and child psychopathology in the LONGSCAN sample

Family functioning may serve as protective or risk factors in the development of youth psychopathology. However, few studies have examined the potentially reciprocal relation between child psychopathology and family functioning. To fill this gap in the literature, this study tested for time-ordered associations between measures of family functioning (e.g., cohesion, conflict, and emotional expressiveness) and child psychopathology (e.g., total behavior problems, externalizing, and internalizing problems) using data from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN; N = 1143, 52.3% female, Nwaves = 5). We used a random-intercept cross-lagged panel model to identify whether child psychopathology preceded and predicted family functioning, the reverse, or both processes occurred simultaneously. At the between-person level, families who tended to have more cohesion, who lacked conflict, and who expressed their emotions had lower levels of child psychopathology. At the within-person level in childhood, we found minimal evidence for time-ordered associations. In adolescence, however, a clear pattern whereby early psychopathology consistently predicted subsequent family functioning emerged, and the reverse direction was rarely found. Results indicate a complex dynamic relation between the family unit and child that have important implications for developmental models that contextualize risk and resilience within the family unit.

Sex-specific joint trajectories of deviant peer affiliation and externalizing problems from middle childhood to early adolescence: the predictive role of family maltreatment

Previous research has shown a strong link between deviant peer affiliation (DPA) and externalizing problems (EXT) among children and adolescents. Little is known about how DPA and EXT develop jointly over time or possible sex differences in their development. This longitudinal study identified sex-specific joint trajectories of DPA and EXT from middle childhood to early adolescence and investigated the predictive role of family maltreatment experiences in joint trajectories of DPA and EXT. A total of 3622 Chinese elementary school students in grades 3 and 4 (Mage = 10, SD = 0.53; 46.5% girls) comprised the sample. Assessments were conducted every six months on five occasions across 2.5 years. Parallel process latent class growth modeling (PP-LCGM) was used to explore the joint trajectories of DPA and EXT for boys and girls separately. The PP-LCGM identified four trajectories for boys: "congruent-low" (78.2%), "congruent-high" (12.40%), "deviant peer affiliation increasing" (6.5%), and "congruent late increasing" (2.9%). Four trajectories were identified for girls: "congruent-low" (82.5%), "slowly increasing" (10.2%), and "deviant peer affiliation desisting" (5.6%), and "congruent late increasing" (1.7%). After controlling for socioeconomic status (SES), the results showed that compared to the congruent-low group, more severe family maltreatment predicted the high and high-start trajectories for boys. The findings highlighted the joint development of DPA and EXT and the sex differences associated with their development. Findings also shed light on the importance of sex in developmental responses to family maltreatment.

Youth with Low Pre-injury Mental Health Symptoms Are at a Higher Risk for Symptoms Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a growing public health concern, and it is a common injury amongst children and adolescents. Existing evidence suggests that mTBI in youth may be related to both externalizing and internalizing symptoms. However, many existing studies fail to control for pre-injury symptoms or consider the potential interaction between mTBI and pre-injury symptom levels. The current study employed data from a longitudinal sample (N = 1,803) of youth from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods to assess the interaction between pre-injury externalizing and internalizing symptoms and outcomes following mTBI in youth. The results showed, contrary to our expectations, that participants with lower pre-injury symptoms were at a greater risk for increased psychopathology following mTBI, compared to participants with higher pre-injury symptoms and non-injured participants. Potential explanations for the results and implications are discussed.

Associations of externalizing polygenic scores with externalizing disorders among Mexican youth

Several studies have examined the association of externalizing polygenic scores (PGS) with externalizing symptoms in samples of European ancestry. However, less is known about the associations of externalizing polygenic vulnerability in relation to phenotypic externalizing disorders among individuals of different ancestries, such as Mexican youth. Here, we leveraged the largest genome-wide association study on externalizing behaviors that included over 1 million individuals of European ancestry to examine associations of externalizing PGS with a range of externalizing disorders in Mexican adolescents, and investigated whether adversity exposure in childhood moderated these associations. Participants (N = 1064; age range 12-17 years old; 58.8% female) were adolescents recruited for a general population survey on adolescent mental health in the Mexico City Metropolitan region and were genotyped. Childhood adversity exposure and externalizing disorders, specifically attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and substance use disorder, were assessed via the computer-assisted World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview for adolescents. A greater externalizing PGS was associated with a greater odds of any externalizing disorder (OR = 1.29 [1.12, 1.48]; p < 0.01) and ADHD (OR = 1.40 [1.15, 1.70]; p < 0.01) in the whole sample, and in females in particular. There were no main effects of the externalizing PGS on conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, or substance use disorder, nor did adversity exposure moderate these associations. Our results suggest that greater genetic propensity for externalizing disorders is associated with increased odds of any externalizing disorders and ADHD among Mexican adolescents, furthering our understanding of externalizing disorder manifestation in this population.

Pragmatic language and associations with externalizing behaviors in autistic individuals and those who have lost the autism diagnosis

Background

Pragmatic language weaknesses, a core feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), are implicated in externalizing behavior disorders (Gremillion & Martel, 2014). Particularly in a clinical setting, these co-occurring externalizing disorders are very common in autism; rates of Attentional Deficit-Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) are as high as 83% (ADHD) and 73% (ODD; Joshi et al., 2010). It is possible that pragmatic language weaknesses impact the ability to effectively communicate one's needs, which may lead autistic children to utilize externalizing behaviors in order to achieve a desired outcome (Ketelaars et al., 2010; Rodas et al., 2017).

Methods

The aim of the current study is to investigate the relationship between pragmatic language, assessed via multiple modalities, and externalizing behaviors, assessed by parent interview, in youth with autistic (n=33) or neurotypical (NT; n=34) developmental histories, along with youth diagnosed with autism, who lost the diagnosis (LAD) by adolescence (n=31).

Results

The autism group had significantly more pragmatic language difficulties, and more externalizing behaviors and disorders; ADHD symptoms were particularly more prevalent, while LAD and NT groups did not differ. Challenges in pragmatic language abilities were associated with more externalizing symptoms when controlling for other facts that typically influence such symptoms, including nonverbal cognition, structural language, executive functioning, and autistic characteristics, but did not remain when age was included in the model.

Conclusions

We discuss the mechanisms underlying difficult-to-manage externalizing behaviors and implications for interventions and long-term outcomes for youth with and without a history of autism.

Familism values and psychological adjustment of Latinx adolescents in an emerging immigrant community: A five wave longitudinal study

This study examined the relations between normative developmental changes of familism values and later internalizing and externalizing behaviors in Latinx adolescents from an emerging immigrant community. The sample included 547 Latinx adolescents (55.4% female; baseline Mage = 12.80; SD = 1.03) residing in the Southeastern United States. Results from latent growth models indicated that higher initial levels of familism values (intercept) and slower declines (slope) in familism values across adolescence predicted lower internalizing and externalizing behaviors at a later time. These associations generalized across adolescent gender (boys and girls) and ethnic background (Mexican-origin vs. other Latinx-origin). This work highlights the impact of variation in normative developmental changes in familism values on adjustment among Latinx adolescents in an emerging immigrant community context. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Associations of active and passive smartphone use with measures of youth mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

Smartphone use provides a significant amount of screen-time for youth, and there have been growing concerns regarding its impact on their mental health. While time spent in a passive manner on the device is frequently considered deleterious, more active engagement with the phone might be protective for mental health. Recent developments in mobile sensing technology provide a unique opportunity to examine behaviour in a naturalistic manner. The present study sought to investigate, in a sample of 451 individuals (mean age 20.97 years old, 83% female), whether the amount of time spent on the device, an indicator of passive smartphone use, would be associated with worse mental health in youth and whether an active form of smartphone use, namely frequent checking of the device, would be associated with better outcomes. The findings highlight that overall time spent on the smartphone was associated with more pronounced internalizing and externalizing symptoms in youth, while the number of unlocks was associated with fewer internalizing symptoms. For externalizing symptoms, there was also a significant interaction between the two types of smartphone use observed. Using objective measures, our results suggest interventions targeting passive smartphone use may contribute to improving the mental health of youth.

Cultural adaptations and cultural factors in EBI implementation with Latinx communities

Introduction

Cultural factors are constructs that capture important life experiences of Latinx/Hispanic individuals, families, and communities. Despite their importance for Latinx communities, Latinx cultural factors have yet to be fully incorporated into the literature of many social, behavioral science, and health service fields, including implementation science. This significant gap in the literature has limited in-depth assessments and a more complete understanding of the cultural life experiences of diverse Latinx community residents. This gap has also stifled the cultural adaptation, dissemination, and implementation of evidence based interventions (EBIs). Addressing this gap can inform the design, dissemination, adoption, implementation, and sustainability of EBIs developed to serve Latinx and other ethnocultural groups.

Methods

Based on a prior Framework Synthesis systematic review of Latinx stress-coping research for the years 2000-2020, our research team conducted a thematic analysis to identify salient Latinx cultural factors in this research field. This thematic analysis examined the Discussion sections of 60 quality empirical journal articles previously included into this prior Framework Synthesis literature review. In Part 1, our team conducted an exploratory analysis of potential Latinx cultural factors mentioned in these Discussion sections. In Part 2 we conducted a confirmatory analysis using NVivo 12 for a rigorous confirmatory thematic analysis.

Results

This procedure identified 13 salient Latinx cultural factors mentioned frequently in quality empirical research within the field of Latinx stress-coping research during the years 2000-2020.

Discussion

We defined and examined how these salient Latinx cultural factors can be incorporated into intervention implementation strategies and can be expanded to facilitate EBI implementation within diverse Latinx community settings.

Parent immigration stress predicts youth externalizing behavior trajectories among Latino families in an emerging immigrant context

According to ecodevelopmental and social learning models, Latino immigrant parents experience considerable stress associated with the immigration process, and such immigration-related stress is theorized to influence behavioral outcomes among their youth. Using a three-year longitudinal design among 217 Latino immigrant families in western Oregon, we assessed whether parents' (94% mothers, M_age  = 36.2 years) experience of immigration-related stress influenced the trajectory of their adolescents' (43% female, M_age = 13.4 years) externalizing behaviors. Controlling for covariates (gender, acculturation, age at migration, and gender), results showed that youth exhibited a normative downward trajectory for externalizing behaviors, and parents' experience of immigration stress significantly and negatively predicted this trajectory. Findings suggest that parents' experience of immigration stress may disrupt a normative trajectory of declining externalizing behaviors among Latino immigrant adolescents.

U.S. Mexican-Origin Adolescents' Well-Being in the Context of Neighborhood White Concentration: Dismantling Systems of Racism and Oppression during Adolescence

To address injustices that privilege whiter neighborhoods, many advocate for residential integration. The developmental consequences of greater exposure to whiteness associated with integration, however, are unclear. Research examining BIPOC adolescent development within the context of intraindividual changes in neighborhood white concentration-the changes that take place if an adolescent moves to a whiter neighborhood or if their neighborhood becomes whiter-is needed. We examined trajectories of internalizing and externalizing symptoms in a longitudinal sample of U.S. Mexican adolescents (N = 749; 48.9% girls; 70.2% born in the United States). When adolescents experienced an uptick in neighborhood white concentration, they experienced a corresponding uptick in externalizing symptoms. We discuss the impacts of navigating whiter neighborhoods for U.S. Mexican adolescent well-being.

Outcomes of serious antisocial behavior from childhood to early adulthood in two Puerto Rican samples in two contexts

PURPOSE

The patterns or trajectories of serious antisocial behavior (ASB) in children are examined to determine the extent to which context, gender, and the severity and persistence of ASB from childhood/early adolescence to later adolescence/early adulthood is associated with negative outcomes.

METHODS

A four wave longitudinal study obtained data on two multi-stage probability household samples of Puerto Rican background children (5-13 years at baseline) living in the San Juan Metropolitan Area of Puerto Rico (PR) and the South Bronx (SBx) of New York. The outcomes studied were any psychiatric disorder including substance use disorders and teenage pregnancy.

RESULTS

Both males and females raised in the SBx had much higher risk of serious ASB (42.3%) as compared to those in PR (17.8%). Concurrent ASB4 + in the fourth wave was strongly related to SUD and MDD for both males and females at Wave 4.

CONCLUSIONS

Serious ASB is likely to persist at least to the next developmental period of a child and is likely to be associated with substance use disorders and major depression later in life.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms and Externalizing Progression in the LAMS Study: A Test of Trait Impulsivity Theory

OBJECTIVE

To test differential prospective prediction of growth in externalizing behavior, including oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, and substance use disorders, by earlier hyperactive-impulsive (HI) vs inattentive (IN) symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

METHOD

Participants in the Longitudinal Assessment of Manic Symptoms (LAMS) Study (N = 685 at study entry), including 458 boys and 227 girls ages 6-12, completed full parent report and self-report assessments every year for 8 years on the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children. Three sets of analyses were conducted. First, hierarchal regression (block entry) was used to test independent associations between HI symptoms and later externalizing outcomes, controlling for IN symptoms, and IN symptoms and later externalizing outcomes, controlling for HI symptoms. Second, logistic regression was used to test progression of DSM externalizing disorders. Third, tests of mediation were used to assess potentiation of externalizing progression through environmental risk mediators (eg, family environment, neighborhood violence).

RESULTS

Consistent with hypotheses derived from trait impulsivity theories of externalizing behavior, HI symptoms of ADHD were associated independently with long-term externalizing outcomes, whereas IN symptoms were not. Between months 48 and 96, ADHD-HI/combined symptom subtype diagnoses predicted later oppositional defiant disorder diagnoses, oppositional defiant disorder diagnoses predicted later conduct disorder diagnoses, and conduct disorder diagnoses predicted later substance use disorder diagnoses. Evidence for environmental risk mediation (eg, parental monitoring, neighborhood violence) was also found.

CONCLUSION

Findings support trait impulsivity models of externalizing progression, whereby ADHD-HI/combined symptoms subtypes predispose to increasingly severe externalizing behaviors, which are magnified in contexts of environmental risk.

Gray Matter Volume in the Developing Frontal Lobe and Its Relationship With Executive Function in Late Childhood and Adolescence: A Community-Based Study

Background: During late childhood and adolescence, the frontal lobe undergoes critical developmental changes, affecting a wide range of executive functions significantly. Conversely, abnormality in the maturation of the frontal lobe during this period may result in a limited ability to effectively use various executive functions. However, at present, it is still unclear how the structural development of the frontal lobe is associated with different aspects of executive functions during this developmental period. To fill the gap in evidence, we aimed to elucidate gray matter volume (GMV) in the frontal lobe and its relationship with multiple aspects of executive functions in late childhood and adolescence. Methods: We recruited our participants aged between 6 and 17 years to assess GMV in the frontal lobe and its relationship with different domains of executive functions in late childhood and adolescence. We used the voxel-based morphometry-DARTEL procedure to measure GMVs in multiple frontal sub-regions and Stroop test and Advanced Test of Attention (ATA) to measure executive functions. We then conducted partial correlation analyses and performed multiple comparisons with different age and sex groups. Results: Overall, 123 participants took part in our study. We found that many regional GMVs in the frontal lobe were negatively correlated with ATA scores in participants in late childhood and positively correlated with ATA scores in participants in adolescence. Only a few correlations of the GMVs with Stroop test scores were significant in both age groups. Although most of our results did not survive false discovery rate (FDR) correction (i.e., FDR <0.2), considering their novelty, we discussed our results based on uncorrected p-values. Our findings indicate that the frontal sub-regions that were involved in attentional networks may significantly improve during late childhood and become stabilized later in adolescence. Moreover, our findings with the Stroop test may also present the possibility of the later maturation of higher-order executive functioning skills. Conclusion: Although our findings were based on uncorrected p-values, the novelty of our findings may provide better insights into elucidating the maturation of the frontal lobe and its relationship with the development of attention networks in late childhood and adolescence.

Recent immigration actions and news and the adjustment of U.S. Latino/a adolescents

OBJECTIVES

This research describes how family immigrant statuses are related to Latino/a adolescents' responses to recent immigration actions and news and, in turn, adolescent adjustment.

METHOD

Study 1 included a school-based sample of 11- to 15-year-olds in suburban Atlanta, Georgia (N = 547); Study 2 included a convenience sample of 15- to 18-year-olds in the Washington, DC area (N = 340). Family immigrant status was defined by adolescents' immigrant generation status in Study 1 and by parent residency status in Study 2. In both studies, a 14-item measure assessed responses to recent immigration actions and news, including psychological worries and behavioral withdrawal. Dependent variables included internalizing and externalizing symptoms, suicidal ideation, e-cigarette use, and alcohol use (Study 1), and alcohol use and depressive symptoms (Study 2).

RESULTS

Psychological worry and behavioral withdrawal responses to immigration actions and news were significantly greater among adolescents with foreign-born, compared to U.S.-born, parents (Study 1), and among adolescents with undocumented, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or permanent resident parents, as compared to citizen parents (Study 2). Results from tests of indirect effects indicated that these worries and behavioral withdrawal responses were, in turn, associated with higher levels of adolescent internalizing and externalizing symptoms, a higher odds of substance use and suicidal ideation (Study 1), and higher levels of adolescent depressive symptoms (Study 2).

CONCLUSIONS

As 1-quarter of the U.S. child population is Latino/a, there is a need to address immigration threats jeopardizing the adjustment of Latino/a teenagers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Stress and Mental Health among Children/Adolescents, Their Parents, and Young Adults during the First COVID-19 Lockdown in Switzerland

The present study aimed to assess various stressful situations and the psychological impact of the first COVID-19 pandemic lockdown among youths in Switzerland. We included samples of 1627 young adults aged 19–24 from the Swiss Youth Epidemiological Study on Mental Health and 1146 children and adolescents aged 12–17 years and their parents. We assessed symptoms of various mental health problems, internet use, and perceived stress during the first COVID-19 lockdown. In the analyses, data were weighted to be representative of the Swiss population. During the first lockdown in Switzerland, the most common sources of perceived stress were the disruption of social life and important activities, uncertainty about how long the state of affairs would last, and the pandemic itself. In addition, around one-fifth of the young adults met the criteria for at least one of the mental health problems (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, generalized anxiety disorder), while one-third of children/adolescents screened positive for at least one of the mental health problems (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, depression, anxiety). Moreover, 30.1% of children and 21.3% of young adults met the criteria for problematic internet use. The study showed considerable stress perceived by young adults and symptoms of mental health problems, especially among females, during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Switzerland.

Investigating the Link between Narcissism and Problem Behaviors in Adolescence

Previous research has shown that narcissistic traits such as exploitativeness, exhibitionism, and entitlement are associated with delinquency and aggression in childhood and adolescence. However, there is a paucity of longitudinal research examining these associations, and virtually no research examining other problem behaviors such as drug use and early sexual behavior. In this study, we extended previous research by testing whether two facets of narcissism, exploitativeness and superiority, assessed at age 14, predicted problem behaviors at age 16, while controlling for problem behaviors at age 14. We applied two-part count models to data from a longitudinal study of 674 Mexican-origin adolescents living in the United States followed over a two-year period from age 14 to 16. Adolescents with higher exploitativeness levels at age 14 were more likely to engage in drug use, commit delinquent acts, have sexual intercourse, and exhibit symptoms of conduct disorder at age 16, compared to adolescents with lower exploitativeness levels. Superiority had almost no associations with problem behaviors. Thus, exploitativeness may be one personality risk factor that underlies the development of multiple forms of problem behaviors in adolescence.

Effects of the Family Check-Up 4 Health on Parenting and Child Behavioral Health: A Randomized Clinical Trial in Primary Care

The Family Check-Up 4 Health (FCU4Health) is an adaptation of the Family Check-Up (FCU) for delivery in primary care settings. While maintaining the original FCU's focus on parenting and child behavioral health, we added content targeting health behaviors. This study evaluated whether the adapted FCU maintained positive effects on parenting (positive behavior support, limit setting, parental warmth) and child behavioral health (self-regulation, conduct problems, emotional problems). Pediatric (6-12 years) primary care patients with a BMI ≥ 85^th%ile (n = 240) were recruited from primary care clinics in Phoenix. Children were 75% Latino, 49% female, and 73% Medicaid recipients. This type 2 effectiveness-implementation hybrid trial compared families randomized to FCU4Health (n = 141) or usual care (n = 99). FCU4Health was delivered over a period of 6 months. This study focuses on a priori secondary outcomes included parenting and child behavioral health targets of the original FCU, assessed at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months. Significant improvements were found for the FCU4Health condition, compared to usual care, in parenting from baseline to the 3-month assessment [β = .17 (.01; .32)]. Parenting predicted improvements in child self-regulation at 6-months [β = .17 (.03; .30)], which in turn predicted reductions in conduct problems [β = - .38 (- .51; - .23)] and emotional problems [β = - .24 (- .38; - .09)] at 12 months. Ethnicity and language of delivery (English or Spanish) did not moderate these effects. The FCU4Health can improve parenting and child behavioral health outcomes when delivered in primary care.Trial Registration Trial registration number: NCT03013309 ClinicalTrials.gov.

Temperament and Affective and Behavioral ODD Problems in Emerging Adults: Moderation by Gender and Perceived Parental Psychopathology

Recent research has indicated that ODD problems persist into emerging adulthood, although mechanisms influencing ODD during emerging adulthood remain relatively unknown. Additionally, temperament and parental psychopathology both are implicated in the development of childhood ODD. Thus, the current study examined how perceived parental (i.e., maternal and paternal) psychopathology (i.e., anxiety, depressive, and antisocial problems) moderated the relationship between temperament (i.e., effortful control, negative affect, and surgency) and ODD problems (i.e., affective and behavioral) in a sample of 599 emerging adults who were instructed to complete questionnaires based on their current perceptions. Results indicated that perceived parental anxiety and antisocial problems moderated the relationship between two of the temperament variables (i.e., negative affect and effortful control) and both types of ODD problems. Moreover, these results were further moderated by participant gender. Finally, perceived parental depressive problems served as a moderator for affective problems only. Overall, results suggest that similar associations found regarding childhood ODD may be implicated when examining emerging adults, and gender moderates these associations.

Direct replication of task-dependent neural activation patterns during sadness introspection in two independent adolescent samples

Functional neuroimaging results need to replicate to inform sound models of human social cognition and its neural correlates. Introspection, the capacity to reflect on one's thoughts and feelings, is one process required for normative social cognition and emotional functioning. Engaging in introspection draws on a network of brain regions including medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), middle temporal gyri (MTG), and temporoparietal junction (TPJ). Maturation of these regions during adolescence mirrors the behavioral advances seen in adolescent social cognition, but the neural correlates of introspection in adolescence need to replicate to confirm their generalizability and role as a possible mechanism. The current study investigated whether reflecting upon one's own feelings of sadness would activate and replicate similar brain regions in two independent samples of adolescents. Participants included 156 adolescents (50% female) from the California Families Project and 119 adolescent girls from the Pittsburgh Girls Study of Emotion. All participants completed the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) and underwent a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan while completing the same facial emotion‐processing task at age 16–17 years. Both samples showed similar whole‐brain activation patterns when engaged in sadness introspection and when judging a nonemotional facial feature. Whole‐brain activation was unrelated to ERQ scores in both samples. Neural responsivity to task manipulations replicated in regions recruited for socio‐emotional (mPFC, PCC, MTG, TPJ) and attention (dorsolateral PFC, precentral gyri, superior occipital gyrus, superior parietal lobule) processing. These findings demonstrate robust replication of neural engagement during sadness introspection in two independent adolescent samples.

The role of effortful control in the development of ADHD, ODD, and CD symptoms

Many adolescents have difficulty regulating their impulses and become prone to externalizing problems (e.g., attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], oppositional defiant disorder [ODD], and conduct disorder [CD]) and other adverse consequences. Using multimethod data from a longitudinal study of Mexican-origin youth (N = 674), assessed annually from age 10 to 16, we examined the relations between effortful control and ADHD, ODD, and CD symptoms over time. Bivariate latent growth curve models showed negative correlations between the trajectories of effortful control and ADHD, ODD, and CD, indicating that steeper decreases in effortful control were related to steeper increases in ADHD, ODD, and CD symptoms. Using a novel statistical technique, the factor of curves model (FOCUS), we found that ADHD, ODD, and CD share a common "externalizing" trajectory during adolescence. Although effortful control was strongly associated with this common trajectory, it had few unique associations with the individual disorder trajectories, above and beyond their shared trajectory. When we extended the FOCUS model to include the effortful control trajectory as an indicator, we found that ADHD and ODD had strong loadings, whereas effortful control and CD had comparatively weak loadings on the shared developmental trajectory. Follow-up analyses showed that a two-factor solution, with externalizing symptom trajectories on one factor and the effortful control facet trajectories on a separate factor, was a better fit to the data than a one-factor solution. Finally, parent ASPD symptoms were related to increases in CD, but had no significant influence on effortful control, ADHD, or ODD. We discuss the implications for personality and externalizing problem development. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).