Longitudinal association of dynamic changes in perceived family environment profiles and psychological problems among children: a latent transition analysis

Abstract

This study aimed to identify distinct profiles of children’s perceived family environments and examine how these profiles and their transitions are associated with psychological symptoms. Data were drawn from 9,786 children (mean age = 9.92 years; 47.8% female; 55.7% White) in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. Latent profile analysis identified four family environment profiles at both baseline and 1-year follow-up: Harmonious, Moderate with Two Loving Caregivers, Moderate with One Loving Caregiver, and Adverse . Overall, children in the first two profiles exhibited fewer psychological symptoms than those in the latter two profiles. Latent transition analysis revealed that the Harmonious Profile was highly stable (85% unchanged), whereas only 39–43% of children in the remaining three profiles stayed in their baseline profile at the one-year follow-up. Notably, transition trajectories were predictive of psychological problems. Specifically, transitions away from the Harmonious Profile were generally associated with higher internalizing and externalizing symptoms (Cohen’s d s = 0.18–0.37), while shifts from Moderate with One Loving Caregiver and Adverse profiles to the Harmonious Profile were linked to lower externalizing symptoms ( d s = 0.27 and 0.58). These findings underscore the importance of longitudinal monitoring of perceived family environments for supporting mental health during late childhood.