Applications of individual growth curve modeling for pediatric psychology research.

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).