Fourteen variables, on the other hand, were associated with either the intercepts or slopes of externalizing problems in both the bivariate and multivariate models, i.e., had independent associations even after controlling for the other risk factors. Although the independent associations of these risk factors do not demonstrate causality, the robust associations of these risk factors with externalizing problems in this study and many prior studies point to candidate mechanisms for future research to examine. The incremental prediction of these risk factors may prove even more useful when specifying the developmental process linking them to the development of externalizing problems.
