Clusters of problem behaviors in adolescents

Abstract

This study was designed to examine clusters of problem behaviors in a sample from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health at two time points. The technique employed was a person-oriented approach, cluster analysis. Three clusters were identified, a normal behaviors cluster, a problem behaviors cluster, and a deviant behaviors cluster. The clusters were tested for stability and for their relationships to the demographic variables gender, race, age, and socioeconomic status. The mean values for most of the problem behaviors in the problem behaviors cluster were higher than for those in the normal behaviors cluster and lower than for those in the deviant behaviors cluster. Selling drugs and weapon use distinguished the deviant behaviors cluster from the other two. Different interventions probably will be required to address the needs of those in each of the different clusters.