Heterogeneity of executive functions among preschool children with psychiatric symptoms

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate associations between internalizing and externalizing symptoms and deficits in executive functions (EF) as well as to examine the overall heterogeneity of EFs in a sample of preschool children attending a psychiatric clinic (n = 171). First, based on cut-off points signifying clinical levels of impairment on the parent-completed Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), children were assigned into groups of internalizing, externalizing, combined or mild symptoms and compared to a reference group (n = 667) with regard to day care teacher ratings of EFs on the Attention and Executive Function Rating Inventory-Preschool (ATTEX-P). Second, latent profile analysis (LPA) was employed to identify distinct subgroups of children representing different EF profiles with unique strengths and weaknesses in EFs. The first set of analyses indicated that all symptom groups had more difficulties in EFs than the reference group did, and the internalizing group had less inhibition-related problems than the other symptom groups did. Using LPA, five EF profiles were identified: average, weak average, attentional problems, inhibitory problems, and overall problems. The EF profiles were significantly associated with gender, maternal education level, and psychiatric symptom type. Overall, the findings suggest that the comparison of means of internalizing and externalizing groups mainly captures the fairly obvious differences in inhibition-related domains among young psychiatric outpatient children, whereas the person-oriented approach, based on individual differences, identifies heterogeneity related to attentional functions, planning, and initiating one’s action. The variability in EF difficulties suggests that a comprehensive evaluation of a child’s EF profile is important regardless of the type of psychiatric symptoms the child presents with.

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Cognitive Subtyping in Schizophrenia: A Latent Profile Analysis

Schizophrenia Bulletin ◽

10.1093/schbul/sbaa157 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Keane Lim ◽

Jason Smucny ◽

Deanna M Barch ◽

Max Lam ◽

Richard S E Keefe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Performance ◽

Latent Profile Analysis ◽

Reference Group ◽

Profile Analysis ◽

Cognitive Profiles ◽

Discovery Cohort ◽

Longitudinal Stability ◽

Disease Heterogeneity ◽

Independent Cohort ◽

Latent Profile

Abstract Cognitive dysfunction is a core feature of schizophrenia. The subtyping of cognitive performance in schizophrenia may aid the refinement of disease heterogeneity. The literature on cognitive subtyping in schizophrenia, however, is limited by variable methodologies and neuropsychological tasks, lack of validation, and paucity of studies examining longitudinal stability of profiles. It is also unclear if cognitive profiles represent a single linear severity continuum or unique cognitive subtypes. Cognitive performance measured with the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia was analyzed in schizophrenia patients (n = 767). Healthy controls (n = 1012) were included as reference group. Latent profile analysis was performed in a schizophrenia discovery cohort (n = 659) and replicated in an independent cohort (n = 108). Longitudinal stability of cognitive profiles was evaluated with latent transition analysis in a 10-week follow-up cohort. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was carried out to investigate if cognitive profiles represent a unidimensional structure. A 4-profile solution was obtained from the discovery cohort and replicated in an independent cohort. It comprised of a “less-impaired” cognitive subtype, 2 subtypes with “intermediate cognitive impairment” differentiated by executive function performance, and a “globally impaired” cognitive subtype. This solution showed relative stability across time. CFA revealed that cognitive profiles are better explained by distinct meaningful profiles than a severity linear continuum. Associations between profiles and negative symptoms were observed. The subtyping of schizophrenia patients based on cognitive performance and its associations with symptomatology may aid phenotype refinement, mapping of specific biological mechanisms, and tailored clinical treatments.

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Empirically derived patterns of psychiatric symptoms in youth: A latent profile analysis

Journal of Affective Disorders ◽

10.1016/j.jad.2016.09.016 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 216 ◽

pp. 109-116 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Katharina Kircanski ◽

Susan Zhang ◽

Argyris Stringaris ◽

Jillian Lee Wiggins ◽

Kenneth E. Towbin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Latent Profile Analysis ◽

Psychiatric Symptoms ◽

Profile Analysis ◽

Latent Profile

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Chinese mothers’ profile which values both play and academics predicts better developmental outcome in young children

International Journal of Behavioral Development ◽

10.1177/0165025418767062 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 43 (1) ◽

pp. 61-66 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Xunyi Lin ◽

Hui Li

Keyword(s):

Maternal Education ◽

Latent Profile Analysis ◽

Early Childhood Development ◽

Profile Analysis ◽

Eastern China ◽

Childhood Development ◽

Cultural Variations ◽

Academic Activities ◽

Chinese Parent ◽

Chinese Mothers

Parental beliefs about play and learning are part of the “belief-context” of early childhood development and can thus make a key difference for the child. Previous studies have focused on cross-cultural comparisons, and therefore have neglected intra-cultural variations. This study sampled 163 Chinese mothers with children aged two to four years old ( M = 38.73 months, SD = 4.91) in south-eastern China, using the Chinese Parent Play Beliefs Scale, Home Play Activities Questionnaire and China Developmental Scale for Children. The latent profile analysis identified the three profiles of Chinese mothers: (a) Traditional mothers, who placed higher value on pre-academic activities, but lower value on early play; (b) Contemporary mothers, who placed higher value on early play, but lower value on pre-academic activities; and (c) Eclectic mothers, who placed the highest values on both pre-academic activities and play. The three profiles of mothers’ play beliefs were differentiated by maternal education, frequencies of children’s play and pre-academic activities at home, and children’s early development. Children of Eclectic mothers had better cognitive development than those of Contemporary mothers, and had better socio-emotional and overall development than those of Traditional mothers, even after adjusting for socio-demographic variables.

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Identifying patterns of motor performance, executive functioning, and verbal ability in preschool children: A latent profile analysis

Research in Developmental Disabilities ◽

10.1016/j.ridd.2018.04.002 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 84 ◽

pp. 3-15 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Suzanne Houwen ◽

Erica Kamphorst ◽

Gerda van der Veer ◽

Marja Cantell

Keyword(s):

Preschool Children ◽

Executive Functioning ◽

Motor Performance ◽

Latent Profile Analysis ◽

Profile Analysis ◽

Verbal Ability ◽

Latent Profile

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Psychiatric Symptoms and Substance Use Among Juvenile Offenders

Criminal Justice and Behavior ◽

10.1177/0093854807304624 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 34 (10) ◽

pp. 1296-1312 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

Michael G. Vaughn ◽

Stacey Freedenthal ◽

Jeffrey M. Jenson ◽

Matthew O. Howard

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Substance Abuse ◽

Substance Use ◽

Juvenile Offenders ◽

Latent Profile Analysis ◽

Juvenile Justice System ◽

Psychiatric Symptoms ◽

Profile Analysis ◽

High Rate ◽

Traumatic Experiences

The high rate of co-occurring mental health and substance abuse problems among antisocial and delinquent youth is a widely recognized problem in the juvenile justice system. Yet few studies have delineated meaningful clinical distinctions in the characteristics of offenders with co-occurring problems. Latent profile analysis was used to identify subgroups of juvenile offenders based on clinically relevant measures of psychiatric symptoms (including past traumatic experiences), lifetime substance use, and drug- and alcohol-related problems stemming from the use of psychoactive substances in a statewide population ( n = 723). Findings revealed that a four-class solution fit the data optimally. The four classes identified represented a severity-based gradient of symptom and substance use endorsement ranging from a mild subgroup ( n = 195; 27.0%), to moderately low ( n = 250; 34.6%) and high ( n = 197; 27.2%) subgroups, and finally, a severely distressed subgroup ( n = 81; 11.2%). Implications for identifying and treating young offenders with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse problems are noted.

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Characterizing Typologies of Polytraumatization: A Replication and Extension Study Examining Internalizing and Externalizing Psychopathology in an Urban Population

Clinical Psychological Science ◽

10.1177/21677026211000723 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 216770262110007

Author(s):

Yara Mekawi ◽

Eva Kuzyk ◽

H. Drew Dixon ◽

Brooke McKenna ◽

Luisa Camacho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Latent Profile Analysis ◽

Profile Analysis ◽

Traumatic Experiences ◽

Low Socioeconomic ◽

Externalizing Psychopathology ◽

Socioeconomic Resources ◽

Minimal Trauma ◽

Assessment And Treatment ◽

Best Fitting ◽

Internalizing And Externalizing

A person-centered approach to examining trauma has uncovered typologies of polytraumatization that are differentially associated with psychopathology. However, previous research is limited by narrow conceptualizations of trauma, limited distal outcomes, and underrepresentation of racially marginalized groups. To address these gaps, we used latent profile analysis to uncover distinct polytraumatization typologies and examine four symptom-based (posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, aggression, and substance abuse) and two behavior-based (self-harm, jail counts) outcomes in a sample of adults with low socioeconomic resources ( N = 7,426, 94% African American). The models were indicated by 19 traumatic experiences (e.g., accident, sexual assault, witnessing/experiencing violence). The best fitting model uncovered five classes: minimal trauma, physical abuse, violence exposure, sexual abuse, and polytrauma. Classes characterized by significant and varied trauma were higher on both internalizing and externalizing psychopathology, whereas those characterized by specific types of trauma were higher on only one type of psychopathology. Implications for the assessment and treatment of trauma-related disorders are discussed.

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Neurodevelopmental Profiles of Infants Born < 30 Weeks Gestation at 2 Years of Age

10.31234/osf.io/6crqs ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Marie Camerota ◽

Elisabeth C. McGowan ◽

Julie A Hofheimer ◽

T. Michael O’Shea ◽

Brian S. Carter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Child Behavior ◽

Child Behavior Checklist ◽

Latent Profile Analysis ◽

Profile Analysis ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Normal Range ◽

Positive Screen ◽

Individual Outcomes ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Multi Center Study

Background: Infants born <30 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) are at increased risk for neurodevelopmental impairment by age 2. Prior studies report rates of impairment for individual outcomes separately. Our objective was to describe neurodevelopmental profiles of children born <30 weeks PMA, using cognitive, language, motor, and behavioral characteristics.Methods: We studied 587 children from a multi-center study of infants born <30 weeks PMA. Age 2 outcomes included Bayley-III subscale scores, Child Behavior Checklist syndrome scores, diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP), and positive screen for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk. We used latent profile analysis (LPA) to group children into mutually exclusive profiles.Results: We found four discrete neurodevelopmental profiles indicating distinct combinations of developmental and behavioral outcomes. Two of the profiles included 72.7% of the sample with most having Bayley scores within the normal range. The other two profiles included the remaining 27.3% of the sample with most having Bayley scores outside of the normal range. Only one profile (11% of sample) was comprised of children with elevated behavioral problems.Conclusion: Child-centered analysis techniques could facilitate the development of targeted intervention strategies and provide caregivers and practitioners with an integrative understanding of child behavior.

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The Strong, Silent Type(ology): Examining Intersections of Alexithymia and the Drive for Muscularity

The Journal of Men s Studies ◽

10.1177/1060826518782976 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 66-88

Author(s):

Mike C. Parent ◽

Tyler C. Bradstreet

Keyword(s):

Help Seeking ◽

Latent Profile Analysis ◽

Reference Group ◽

Profile Analysis ◽

Body Appreciation ◽

Class Membership ◽

Drive For Muscularity ◽

Help Seeking Attitudes ◽

Avoidant Attachment ◽

Class 1

This study used latent profile analysis to explore the interrelations of drive for muscularity (DM) and alexithymia among 505 men. Four unique classes of men emerged: (1) low endorsement of DM and alexithymia, (2) moderate endorsement of alexithymia and DM, (3) moderate endorsement of alexithymia and high endorsement of attitudinal and behavioral DM, and (4) high endorsement of DM attitudes and alexithymia, and low endorsement of DM behaviors. We explored relations between class membership and avoidant attachment, social pressure to be muscular, help-seeking attitudes, and body appreciation, using Class 1 as the reference group. Alexithymia and attitudinal DM, in the absence of behavioral DM, appear to be a particularly unhealthful constellation of alexithymia and DM.

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