Abstract
The relations between scores on statistically derived behavior problem syndromes and DSM-III diagnoses were examined for 270 clinically referred children aged 6 through 16. Each child's parent completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and was administered the NIMH Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (DISC)-a structured interview covering DSM-III diagnostic criteria. Numerous behavior problems scales scored from the CBCL were significantly related to one or more diagnoses. The strongest relations were between scores on the Hyperactive, Delinquent, and Depressed scales and diagnoses of Attention Deficit Disorder, Conduct Disorder, and Depression/Dysthymia, respectively. This convergence supports the validity of some syndromal constructs common to both assessment paradigms.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Achenbach, T. M. (1980). DSM-III in light of empirical research on the classification of child psychopathology.Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 19, 395–412.
Achenbach, T. M., & Edelbrock, C. (1983).Manual for the Child Behavior Checklist and Revised Child Behavior Profile. Burlington, Vermont: University of Vermont.
Achenbach, T. M., & Edelbrock, C. (1984). Psychopathology of childhood.Annual Review of Psychology, 35, 227–256.
Achenbach, T. M., McConaughy, S. H., & Howell, C. T. (1987). Child/adolescent behavioral and emotional problems: Implications of cross-informant correlations for situational specificity.Psychological Bulletin, 101, 213–232.
American Psychiatric Association. (1980).Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (3rd ed.). Washington, D.C.,: Author.
American Psychiatric Association. (1987).Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (3rd ed., rev.). Washington, D.C.: Author.
Cohen, J., & Cohen, P. (1975).Applied multiple regression/correlation analysis for the behavioral sciences. Hillsdale, New Jersey: Erlbaum.
Costello, E. J., Edelbrock, C. & Costello, A. J. (1985). Validity of the NIMH Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children: A comparison between psychiatric and pediatric referrals.Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 13, 579–595.
Costello, A. J., Edelbrock, C. Dulcan, M. K., Kalas, R., & Klaric, S. H. (1984).Development and testing of the NIMH Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children on a clinical population: Final Report. (Contract No. RFP-DB-81-002). Rockville, Maryland: Center for Epidemiologic Studies, National Institute of Mental Health.
Edelbrock, C. & Achenbach, T. M. (1980). A typology of Child Behavior Profile patterns: Distribution and correlates for disturbed children aged 6–16.Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 8, 441–470.
Edelbrock, C. & Costello, A. J. (1987). A review of structured diagnostic interview schedules for children. In M. Rutter, H. Tuma, & I. Lann (Eds.),Assessment and diagnosis in child and adolescent psychopathology. New York: Guilford Press.
Edelbrock, C. Costello, A. J., Dulcan, M. K., Conover, N. C. & Kalas, R. (1986). Parentchild agreement on child psychiatric symptoms assessed via structured interview.Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 27, 181–190.
Edelbrock, C., Costello, A. J., Dulcan, M. K., Kalas, R., & Conover, N. C. (1985). Age differences in the reliability of the psychiatric interview of the child.Child Development, 56, 265–275.
Puig-Antich, J. (1982). Major depression and conduct disorder in prepuberty.Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 21, 118–128.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This research was supported in part by NIMH grant no. MH37372 and by NIMH contract no. RFP-DB-81-0027. The first author is supported by a Faculty Scholar's Award from the William T. Grant Foundation. The authors wish to thank Tom Achenbach and Russ Barkley for their valuable comments on an earlier draft.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Edelbrock, C., Costello, A.J. Convergence between statistically derived behavior problem syndromes and child psychiatric diagnoses. J Abnorm Child Psychol 16, 219–231 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00913597
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00913597