Analyzing dynamic joint trajectories between strain and delinquency in multicultural adolescents: Application of joint trajectory modeling

Abstract

This study analyzed the latent class in which the relationship between multicultural adolescents' strain and delinquency varies over time and identified the relationship between these two latent classes in order to develop intervention methods to alleviate their strain and delinquency. We utilized seven years data from MAPS of NYPI, spanning from 6th grade in elementary school to 3rd grade in high school (2013-2019). The dynamic relationships between the latent classes of strain and delinquency were analyzed using JTM, and the latent classes of these two components were analyzed using a LCGM based on a person-centered approach. Our findings revealed the existence of five distinct heterogeneous groups for strain and four for delinquency among multicultural adolescents, indicating diverse patterns of strain and delinquency behaviors. The vulnerable groups requiring welfare intervention are particularly noteworthy, constituting 17.8% of the popualtion. These groups are characterized by the following categories: S2 (“Early Low & Increasing” and S3: “Early Moderate & Increasing” in strain) and D2 (“Early Low & High Increasing” in delinquency). Given the imbalance and diversity of these latent classes, this study provides practical implications and measures for the intervention of strains and delinquency among multicultural adolescents.