Examining the Long-Term Stability of a Strengths-Based Screener Over 2 Years

The success of universal screening for effective school mental health programs is dependent on the availability of usable measures as well as empirically based recommendations for use. The current study examined the long-term stability of a strengths-based social-emotional screening tool, the Devereux Student Strengths Assessment-Mini (DESSA-Mini). Elementary teachers rated students ( N = 273; kindergarten and first grade at Time 1) 3 times per year over 2 years to identify students for early intervention. Stability coefficients were moderate to large for continuous and categorical data but lower between years, and a transition matrix demonstrated greater movement across categories compared with prior research. A latent profile analysis with all six time-point T-Scores indicated four stability profiles. Three patterns were stable across all times while one profile improved over time. Profile results were compared with covariates of free and reduced-price lunch, special education, and intervention status as well as outcomes of reading achievement and behavior referrals. Practice implications and areas for future research are discussed.

Download Full-text

An Analysis of First-Grade Writing Profiles and Their Relationship to Compositional Quality

Journal of Learning Disabilities ◽

10.1177/0022219417708171 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 51 (4) ◽

pp. 336-350 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

David L. Coker ◽

Kristen D. Ritchey ◽

Ximena Uribe-Zarain ◽

Austin S. Jennings

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Latent Profile Analysis ◽

Profile Analysis ◽

First Grade ◽

State Standards ◽

Future Research ◽

Writing Achievement ◽

Writing Assessments ◽

School Year ◽

Confirmatory Factor

To help all students meet the writing expectations of the Common Core State Standards, researchers need a deeper understanding of the characteristics of struggling writers. The purpose of this study was to explore the writing profiles of students including those who have or are at risk for writing disabilities. First-grade students ( N = 391) were assessed at the end of the school year using three writing assessments (spelling, sentence writing fluency, writing achievement). The researchers used latent profile analysis to identify students as fitting into one of five profiles (At Risk, Low Fluency, Low Writing, Average, and Above Average). Students also wrote narrative and descriptive texts that were scored multiple ways. The researchers used confirmatory factor analysis to identify four common factors: quality/length, spelling, mechanics, and syntax. Students in the At Risk profile wrote narratives and descriptions that scored lower on all aspects of writing when compared to students in the Average and Above Average profiles. These findings provide further evidence of the distinct difference among writers as early as first grade, and they offer insight into the characteristics of at-risk writers. The implications of these findings for instruction and assessment and directions for future research are described.

Download Full-text

General and Eating Disorder Psychopathology in Relation to Short- and Long-Term Weight Change in Treatment-Seeking Children: A Latent Profile Analysis

Annals of Behavioral Medicine ◽

10.1093/abm/kaaa076 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Anne Claire Grammer ◽

John R Best ◽

Lauren A Fowler ◽

Katherine N Balantekin ◽

Richard I Stein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Eating Disorder ◽

Weight Change ◽

Latent Profile Analysis ◽

Profile Analysis ◽

Weight Maintenance ◽

Future Research ◽

Eating Disorder Psychopathology ◽

The Impact ◽

Latent Profile

Abstract Background Concurrent general psychopathology (GP) and eating disorder psychopathology (EDP) are commonly reported among youth with overweight/obesity and may impact weight change. Purpose We identified patterns of GP and EDP in children with overweight/obesity and examined the impact on weight change following family-based behavioral obesity treatment (FBT) and maintenance interventions. Methods Children (N = 172) participated in 4 month FBT and subsequent 8 month weight maintenance interventions. GP and EDP were assessed prior to FBT (baseline). Child percentage overweight was assessed at baseline, post-FBT (4 months), and post-maintenance (12 months). Latent profile analysis identified patterns of baseline GP and EDP. Linear mixed-effects models examined if profiles predicted 4- and 12-month change in percentage overweight and if there were two-way and three-way interactions among these variables, adjusting for relevant covariates. Results Results indicated a three-profile structure: lower GP and EDP (LOWER); subclinically elevated GP and EDP without loss of control (LOC; HIGHER); and subclinically elevated GP and EDP with LOC (HIGHER + LOC). Across profiles, children on average achieved clinically meaningful weight loss (i.e., ≥9 unit change in percentage overweight) from baseline to 4 month FBT and sustained these improvements at 12 month maintenance. There was no evidence that latent profiles were related to percentage overweight change from baseline to FBT (p > .05) or baseline to maintenance (p > .05). There was no evidence for two-way or three-way interactions (p > .05). Conclusion Concurrent GP and EDP do not portend differential short- or long-term weight change following FBT and maintenance. Future research is warranted on the durability of weight change among youth with GP and EDP. Trial registration NCT00759746.

Download Full-text