An empirical typology of youth with severe emotional disturbances

Cluster analysis was used to identify groups of children and adolescents with severe emotional disturbances on the basis of 8 child risk factor questions gathered at intake. The sample of 171 youth was divided into 5 clusters: (a) physically abused, (b) suicide attempt risk, (c) delinquent risk, (d) low risk, and (e) sexually abused. Differences were noted among clusters on a variety of measures of functioning, and cluster groups were different in terms of diagnosis and demographic variables (age, gender, and number of arrests). Youth in Clusters 2 and 3 demonstrated lower functioning on various measures, with Cluster 2 yielding the poorest functioning. Cluster analysis does not supplant diagnosis but may be a useful supplement in identifying meaningful subgroups of youth.