International Journal of Behavioral Development
Volume 39, Issue 3, 2015, Pages 242-254

Internalizing and externalizing problems in immigrant boys and girls: Comparing native Dutch and Moroccan immigrant adolescents across time (Article)

Paalman C.* , Van Domburgh L. , Stevens G. , Vermeiren R. , Van De Ven P. , Branje S. , Frijns T. , Meeus W. , Koot H. , Van Lier P. , Jansen L. , Doreleijers T.
  • a VU Medical Centre, postbus 303, Duivendrecht, 1115 ZG, Netherlands
  • b LSG Rentray, Netherlands
  • c Utrecht University, Netherlands
  • d Leiden University Medical Centre, Netherlands
  • e VU Medical Centre, postbus 303, Duivendrecht, 1115 ZG, Netherlands
  • f Utrecht University, Netherlands
  • g Utrecht University, Netherlands
  • h Utrecht University, Netherlands
  • i VU Medical Centre, Netherlands
  • j VU Medical Centre, Netherlands
  • k VU Medical Centre, postbus 303, Duivendrecht, 1115 ZG, Netherlands
  • l VU Medical Centre, postbus 303, Duivendrecht, 1115 ZG, Netherlands

Abstract

This longitudinal study explores differences between native Dutch and immigrant Moroccan adolescents in the relationship between internalizing and externalizing problems across time. By using generalized estimating equations (GEE), the strength and stability of associations between internalizing and externalizing problems in 159 Moroccan and 159 Dutch adolescents was studied over a period of 4 years. No differences in strength of co-occurring problems were found between Moroccan and Dutch adolescents. However, for Moroccan adolescents, associations between problems increased over time, whereas in Dutch adolescents, associations remained stable. The increase of co-occurring problems may be a result of undertreatment and increasing complexity of problems in Moroccans during adolescence. The results of this study imply that investigating processes leading to co-occurring problems in subgroups of adolescents, such as immigrant youths, is needed to optimize prevention and intervention efforts. © The Author(s) 2014.

Author Keywords

externalizing problems Immigrant co-occurrence internalizing problems Ethnicity Adolescents

Index Keywords

Netherlands immigrant Dutchman longitudinal study depression externalizing problem internalizing problem indigenous people human sex difference comorbidity Self Report controlled study social phobia social status ethnic difference Adolescent male female adolescence high risk population population research Article behavior disorder major clinical study generalized anxiety disorder cohort analysis Moroccan disease association
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84930508662&doi=10.1177%2f0165025414538554&partnerID=40&md5=6ffaa7125379f7a17742091175264e01
DOI: 10.1177/0165025414538554
ISSN: 01650254
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English