Are There Unique Subgroups of Adolescents With Externalizing Behaviors and do These Groups Differ on Their Experience of Positive and Negative Parenting Behaviors?

The current study aims to investigate the heterogeneity of externalizing behavior among adolescents. It examines whether there exist relevant subgroups of adolescents based on externalizing acts, and if these subgroups differ in how they perceive their parents' positive and negative behaviors. The sample consisted of 982 Swedish adolescents aged 13-16, (M=14.28, SD=.94). The data originates from a community-based cohort-sequential study and was attained through self-reports. However, the present study examines cross-sectional data from one of the measuring points. We used hierarchical cluster analysis to identify subgroups based on how the adolescents differed from each other in type of externalizing behavior. Externalizing behavior was measured using three subscales; minor property offences, serious property offences and violence. A four-cluster solution was retained in the analysis. The subgroups were named the: 1. Low problem group, 2. Minor offences group, 3. Violent group and 4. Multiproblem group. These subgroups were then compared in perceived level of positive and negative parenting by using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The low problem group consistently showed the highest levels of positive parenting and lowest levels of negative parenting. Concurrently, the multiproblem group showed the highest levels of negative parenting and lowest levels of positive parenting. The “middle range” groups showed no clear pattern. These findings suggest that externalizing subgroups exist, and that they significantly differ in their views of their parents.