Group-based trajectory modeling: an overview.

This article provides an overview of a group-based statistical methodology for analyzing developmental trajectories - the evolution of an outcome over age or time. Across all application domains, this group-based statistical method lends itself to the presentation of findings in the form of easily understood graphical and tabular data summaries. In so doing, the method provides statistical researchers with a tool for figuratively painting a statistical portrait of the predictors and consequences of distinct trajectories of development. Data summaries of this form have the great advantage of being accessible to nontechnical audiences and quickly comprehensible to audiences that are technically sophisticated. Examples of the application of the method are provided. A detailed account of the statistical underpinnings of the method and a full range of applications are provided by the author in a previous study.