An empirical typology of youth with severe emotional disturbances.
Cluster analysis was used to identify groups of children and adolescents with severe emotional disturbances on the basis of 8 child risk factor questions gathered at intake. The sample of 171 youth was divided into 5 clusters: (a) physically abused, (b) suicide attempt risk, (c) delinquent risk, (d) low risk, and (e) sexually abused. Differences were noted among clusters on a variety of measures of functioning, and cluster groups were different in terms of diagnosis and demographic variables (age, gender, and number of arrests). Youth in Clusters 2 and 3 demonstrated lower functioning on various measures, with Cluster 2 yielding the poorest functioning. Cluster analysis does not supplant diagnosis but may be a useful supplement in identifying meaningful subgroups of youth.
Fields
Scott A
SA
Department of Psychology, Ohio University, USA. scott.fields@camc.org
Ogles
Benjamin M
BM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D036262:Empirical Research; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data