was confirmed empirically by setting the intercepts to the initial rather than ending values in a separate model. The following predictors were characterized by higher initial values of externalizing, yet smaller increases or greater decreases in externalizing problems over time: resistant to control temperament (early childhood), spanking (early childhood), harsh discipline (early childhood), low father caregiving (early childhood), lower peer social preference (early and middle childhood), internalizing problems (middle childhood), and poorer language ability (earlier adolescence).
