Kindergarten Predictors of Recurring Externalizing and Internalizing Psychopathology in 3rd and 5th grade.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent to which a range of risk factors (e.g., gender, race/ethnicity, low socioeconomic status [SES], whether the child's family had divorced or separated, low reading readiness, inattention) predicted kindergarten children's likelihood of later recurring psychopathology. Multilevel logistic regression was used to analyze teacher-ratings of frequent and recurring externalizing and internalizing problem behaviors in a longitudinal sample of 4,674 K-5th grade children participating in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Cohort, 1998-1999. Results indicated that certain groups of kindergarten children are at higher risk. Those most at risk of displaying high levels of externalizing problem behaviors in both 3rd and 5th grade are children entering school already displaying high levels of these behaviors, as well as those displaying low reading readiness. Boys and those from low SES households are also at higher risk. Hispanics (compared to whites) are at reduced risk of such problem behaviors. Those most at risk of displaying 3rd and 5th grade recurring internalizing behavior problems are those entering kindergarten with such problems, and children displaying inattention and other learning-related behavior problems. Boys, those from low SES households, and children not being raised by both biological parents are also more likely to display recurrent internalizing behavior problems in 3rd and 5th grade. Asian children are at reduced risk of engaging in these behavior problems.