A developmental approach to youth maladaptive personality traits: Variable- versus person-centered change in the transition from childhood to adolescence

Increasing evidence shows that personality pathology starts to develop from (late) childhood onwards. The current study extends previous research by examining maladaptive change using both a variable-centered approach (i.e., mean-level changes) and person-centered latent profile transitions). Data were used 3-wave longitudinal on Dutch youth (at T1: N = 492, mean age 10.1). Maladaptive traits Emotional Instability, Disagreeableness, Introversion, Compulsivity) assessed yearly the Dimensional Personality Symptom Item Pool (DIPSI). A Factor of Curves model indicated presence higher-order developmental factor, reflecting low initial levels small decreases over time, which explained in all DIPSI traits. Latent analyses revealed three quantitatively different trait profiles. Transition Analysis demonstrated substantial stability profiles time. Small groups showed transition toward another (often more adaptive) profile. Although may have some merit when aiming detect high-risk subgroups, results suggest approach—and capturing shared underlying processes particular—is favorable approach.