Applications of individual growth curve modeling for pediatric psychology research

Abstract

Objective: To provide a brief, nontechnical introduction to individual growth curve modeling for the analysis of longitudinal data. Several applications of individual growth curve modeling for pediatric psychology research are discussed. Methods: To illustrate these applications, we analyze data from an ongoing pediatric psychology study of the possible impact of spina bifida on child and family development (N = 135). Three repeated observations, spaced by approximately 2 years, contributed to the analyses (M age at baseline = 8.84). Results: Results indicated that individual linear growth curves of emotional autonomy varied as a function of the youth gender by spina bifida group membership interaction. Conclusions: Strengths of individual growth curve modeling relative to more traditional methods of analysis are highlighted (e.g., completely flexible specification of the time variable, explicit modeling of both aggregate-level and individual-level growth curves). © The Author 2005. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. All rights reserved.