Abstract
Psychological problems are a common concern among children and adolescents. Identifying distinct profiles of internalizing and externalizing problems offers a comprehensive understanding of the psychological challenges faced by this population. This study aimed to explore mental health profiles in a sample of 5652 Spanish children and adolescents aged 8-16 years, examining differences between these profiles and reference groups. Using the Child and Adolescent Assessment System (SENA) and latent profile analysis (LPA), six profiles were identified among children and seven among adolescents, based on internalizing, externalizing and contextual problems. Among children, the most frequent profiles were 'moderate problems, low conflict' and 'low problems', while adolescents most commonly exhibited 'moderate internalizing, low externalizing' and 'low problems' profiles. Significant differences across profiles were linked to emotional regulation, self-esteem and social competence. These findings provide a nuanced perspective on the mental health landscape of Spanish youth, emphasizing the critical role of early detection of emotional difficulties in educational settings. Furthermore, the study offers valuable insights for developing tailored interventions to meet the specific emotional needs of children and adolescents.