Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Assessing Attention and Disruptive Behavior Symptoms in Preschool-Age Children: The Utility of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Child and Family Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Data are presented from two samples of preschool children to evaluate the reliability, concurrent validity, and predictive validity of the ADHD, ODD, and CD sections of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, Fourth Edition (DISC-IV). Information was obtained from a community sample of 128 children (M age = 53.16 months; 63 girls) and from a sample of 72 externalizing children (M age = 45.23 months; 31 girls) plus 25 control children (M age = 44.51 months; 8 girls). In both studies, the DISC-IV was administered to parents along with parent and teacher behavior rating scales, and teacher rating scales were obtained again later to evaluate the predictive validity of the DISC-IV (after approximately 6 months in Study 1, and 3 years in Study 2). The ADHD and ODD sections exhibited acceptable internal consistency in both studies, and showed concurrent validity with parent behavior rating scales. In both studies, the ADHD section was also concurrent with teacher reports. In Study 2, the ADHD, ODD, and CD sections distinguished externalizing children from controls. In both studies, the ADHD section predicted future teacher ratings beyond initial teacher ratings, and beyond initial parent rating scales; the ODD section similarly predicted later teacher ratings in Study 1. Findings provide strong support for the utility of the ADHD section for preschool children and moderate support for the ODD and CD sections.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Achenbach, T. M. (1991). Manual for the teacher’s report form and 1991 profile. Burlington: University of Vermont Department of Psychiatry.

    Google Scholar 

  • Achenbach, T., McConaughy, S., & Howell, C. (1987). Child/adolescent behavioral and emotional problems: Implications of cross informant correlations for situational specificity. Psychological Bulletin, 101, 213–232. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.101.2.213.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed. text rev.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, S. R., & Ollendick, T. H. (2012). Diagnosing oppositional defiant disorder using the anxiety disorders interview schedule for DSM-IV: Parent version and the diagnostic interview schedule for children. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 34(4), 467–475. doi:10.1007/s10862-012-9294-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Angold, A., Erkanli, A., Copeland, W., Goodman, R., Fisher, P. W., & Costello, E. J. (2012). Psychiatric diagnostic interviews for children and adolescents: A comparative study. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 51(5), 506–517. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2012.02.020.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Applegate, B., Lahey, B. B., Hart, E. L., Biederman, J., Hynd, G. W., Barkley, R. A., & Shaffer, D. (1997). Validity of the age-of-onset criterion for ADHD: A report from the DSM-IV field trials. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 36(9), 1211–1221. doi:10.1097/00004583-199709000-00013.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Arnold, D. H., Zeljo, A., Doctoroff, G. L., & Ortiz, C. (2008). Parent involvement in preschool: Predictors and the relation of involvement to preliteracy development. School Psychology Review, 37(1), 74–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barkley, R. A., Shelton, T. L., Crosswait, C., Moorehouse, M., Fletcher, K., Barrett, S., & Metevia, L. (2000). Multi-method psycho-educational intervention for preschool children with disruptive behavior: Preliminary results at post-treatment. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines, 41(3), 319–332. doi:10.1111/1469-7610.00616.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, S. B., Ewing, L. J., Breaux, A. M., & Szumowski, E. K. (1986). Parent-referred problem three-year-olds: Follow-up at school entry. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 27(4), 473–488. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.1986.tb00635.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, P., O’Connor, P., Lewis, S., Velez, C. N., & Malachowski, B. (1987). Comparison of DISC and K-SADS-P interviews of an epidemiological sample of children. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 26(5), 662–667. doi:10.1097/00004583-198709000-00009.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Doctoroff, G. L., & Arnold, D. H. (2004). Parent-rated externalizing behavior in preschoolers: The predictive utility of structured interviews, teacher reports, and classroom observations. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 33(4), 813–818. doi:10.1207/s15374424jccp3304_16.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Elder, T. E. (2010). The importance of relative standards in ADHD diagnoses: Evidence based on exact birth dates. Journal of Health Economics, 29(5), 641–656. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167629610000755.

  • Eyberg, S. M., & Pincus, D. (1999). Eyberg child behavior inventory and sutter-eyberg student behavior inventory-revised professional manual. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fagot, B. I., & Leve, L. D. (1998). Teacher ratings of externalizing behavior at school entry for boys and girls: Similar early predictors and different correlates. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 39, 555–566. doi:10.1017/S002196309800225X.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, P. W., Lucas, C., & Shaffer, D. (1997). Diagnostic interview schedule for children, version IV (DISC IV): Test–retest reliability in a clinical sample. Presented at the 44th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Toronto.

  • Fisher, P., Wicks, J., Shaffer, D., Piacentini, J., & Lapkin, J. (1994). Diagnostic interview schedule for children. New York: New York State Psychiatric Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frick, P. J., & McMahon, R. J. (2008). Child and adolescent conduct problems. In J. Hunsley & E. J. Mash (Eds.), A guide to assessments that work (pp. 41–66). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Friman, P. C., Handwerk, M. L., Smith, G. L., Larzelere, R. E., Lucas, C. P., & Shaffer, D. M. (2000). External validity of conduct and oppositional defiant disorders determined by the NIMH diagnostic interview schedule for children. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 28(3), 277–286. doi:10.1023/A:1005148404980.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • George, D., & Mallery, P. (2003). SPSS for windows step by step: A simple guide and reference. 11.0 update (4th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graves, S., Blake, J., & Kim, E. (2012). Differences in parent and teacher ratings of preschool problem behavior in a national sample: The significance of gender and SES. Journal of Early Intervention, 34(3), 151–165. doi:10.1177/1053815112461833.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, E. A., Friedman-Weieneth, J. L., Goldstein, L., & Sherman, A. (2007). Examining subtypes of behavior problems among 3-year-old children, Part I: Investigating validity of subtypes and biological risk-factors. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 35, 97–110.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, E. A., Lugo-Candelas, C. I., & Breaux, R. P. (2014). Longitudinal changes in individual symptoms across the preschool years in children with ADHD. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology,. doi:10.1080/15374416.2014.886253.

    PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, E. A., Youngwirth, S. D., Thakar, D. A., & Errazuriz, P. A. (2009). Predicting attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and oppositional defiant disorder from preschool diagnostic assessments. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 77(2), 349–354. doi:10.1037/a0014638.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hayden, E. P., Klein, D. N., & Durbin, C. E. (2005). Parent reports and laboratory assessments of child temperament: A comparison of their associations with risk for depression and externalizing disorders. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 27, 89–100. doi:10.1007/s10862-005-5383-z.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ivanova, M. Y., Achenbach, T. M., Rescorla, L. A., Bilenberg, N., Bjarnadottir, G., Denner, S., & Verhulst, F. C. (2011). Syndromes of preschool psychopathology reported by teachers and caregivers in 14 societies using the caregiver-teacher report form (C-TRF). Journal of Early Childhood and Infant Psychology, 83–103.

  • Jensen, P. S., Salzberg, A. D., Richters, J. E., & Watanabe, H. K. (1993). Scales, diagnoses, and child psychopathology: I. CBCL and DISC relationships. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 32(2), 397–406. doi:10.1097/00004583-199303000-00022.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen-Doss, A. (2005). Evidence-based diagnosis: Incorporating diagnostic instruments into clinical practice. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 44(9), 947–952. doi:10.1097/01.chi.0000171903.16323.92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kasius, M. C., Ferdinand, R. F., van den Berg, H., & Verhulst, F. C. (1997). Associations between different diagnostic approaches for child and adolescent psychopathology. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 38(6), 625–632. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.1997.tb01689.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Keenan, K., Boeldt, D., Chen, D., Coyne, C., Donald, R., Duax, J., & Humphries, M. (2011). Predictive validity of DSM-IV oppositional defiant and conduct disorders in clinically referred preschoolers. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 52(1), 47–55. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2010.02290.x.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Keenan, K., & Wakschlag, L. S. (2004). Are oppositional defiant and conduct disorder symptoms normative behaviors in preschoolers? A comparison of referred and nonreferred children. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 161(2), 356–358.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kerr, D. R., Lunkenheimer, E. S., & Olson, S. L. (2007). Assessment of child problem behaviors by multiple informants: A longitudinal study from preschool to school entry. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 48(10), 967–975. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2007.01776.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Korsch, F., & Petermann, F. (2013). Agreement between parents and teachers on preschool children’s behavior in a clinical sample with externalizing behavioral problems. Child Psychiatry and Human Development,. doi:10.1007/s10578-013-0430-6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krol, N. M., De Bruyn, E. J., Coolen, J. C., & van Aarle, E. M. (2006). From CBCL to DSM: A comparison of two methods to screen for DSM-IV diagnoses using CBCL data. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 35(1), 127–135. doi:10.1207/s15374424jccp3501_11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lahey, B. B., Pelham, W. E., Loney, J., Kipp, H., Ehrhardt, A., Lee, S. S., & Massetti, G. (2004). Three-year predictive validity of DSM-IV attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children diagnosed at 4–6 years of age. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 161(11), 2014–2020. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.161.11.2014.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lavigne, J. V., Arend, R., Rosenbaum, D., Binns, H. J., Christoffel, K. K., & Gibbons, R. D. (1998). Psychiatric disorders with onset in the pre-school years: II. Correlates and predictors of stable case status. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 37, 1255–1261.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lavigne, J. V., Cicchetti, C., Gibbons, R. D., Binns, H. J., Larsen, L., & Devito, C. (2001). Oppositional defiant disorder with onset in preschool years: Longitudinal stability and pathways to other disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 40, 1393–1400.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lavigne, J. V., LeBailly, S. A., Hopkins, J., Gouze, K. R., & Binns, H. J. (2009). The prevalence of ADHD, ODD, depression, and anxiety in a community sample of 4-year-olds. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 38(3), 315–328. doi:10.1080/15374410902851382.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, S. S., Lahey, B. B., Owens, E. B., & Hinshaw, S. P. (2008). Few preschool boys and girls with ADHD are well-adjusted during adolescence. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 36(3), 373–383. doi:10.1007/s10802-007-9184-6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Loeber, R., Burke, J. D., Lahey, B. B., Winters, A., & Zera, M. (2000). Oppositional defiant and conduct disorder: A review of the past 10 years, part I. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 39(12), 1468–1484. doi:10.1097/00004583-200012000-00007.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McGoey, K. E., Eckert, T. L., & DuPaul, G. J. (2002). Early intervention for preschool-age children with ADHD: A literature review. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 10(1), 14–28. doi:10.1177/106342660201000103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McGrath, A. M., Handwerk, M. L., Armstrong, K. J., Lucas, C. P., & Friman, P. C. (2004). The validity of the ADHD section of the diagnostic interview schedule for children. Behavior Modification, 28(3), 349–374. doi:10.1177/0145445503258987.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mesman, J., & Koot, H. M. (2001). Early preschool predictors of preadolescent internalizing and externalizing DSM-IV diagnoses. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 40(9), 1029–1036. doi:10.1097/00004583-200109000-00011.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moffitt, T. E. (1990). Juvenile delinquency and attention deficit disorder: Boys’ developmental trajectories from age 3 to age 15. Child Development, 61(3), 893–910. doi:10.2307/1130972.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ostrander, R., Weinfurt, K. P., Yarnold, P. R., & August, G. J. (1998). Diagnosing attention deficit disorders with the behavioral assessment system for children and the child behavior checklist: Test and construct validity analyses using optimal discriminant classification trees. Journal Of Consulting And Clinical Psychology, 66(4), 660–672. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.66.4.660.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Patterson, G. R. (2002). The early development of coercive family process. In J. B. Reid, G. R. Patterson, & J. Snyder (Eds.), Antisocial behavior in children and adolescents: A developmental analysis and model for intervention (pp. 25–44). Washington, DC, USA: American Psychological Association.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, C. R., & Kamphaus, R. W. (1992). Behavior assessment system for children manual. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, L. K., & Kelley, M. L. (1997). The efficacy of a response cost-based treatment package for managing aggressive behavior in preschoolers. Behavior Modification, 21(2), 216–230. doi:10.1177/01454455970212005.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Riddle, M. A., Yershova, K., Lazzaretto, D., Paykina, N., Yenokyan, G., Greenhill, L., & Posner, K. (2013). The preschool attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder treatment study (PATS) 6-year follow-up. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 52(3), 264–278. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2012.12.007.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Rolon-Arroyo, B., Arnold, D. H., & Harvey, E. A. (2014). The predictive utility of conduct disorder symptoms in preschool children: A 3-year follow-up study. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 45(3), 329–337. doi:10.1007/s10578-013-0404-8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schwab-Stone, M. E., Shaffer, D., Dulcan, M. K., Jensen, P. S., Fisher, P., Bird, H. R., & Rae, D. S. (1996). Criterion validity of the NIMH diagnostic interview schedule for children version 2.3 (DISC-2.3). Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 35(7), 878–888. doi:10.1097/00004583-199607000-00013.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shaffer, D., Fisher, P., Lucas, C. P., Dulcan, M. K., & Schwab-Stone, M. E. (2000). NIMH diagnostic interview schedule for children version IV (NIMH DISC-IV): Description, differences from previous versions, and reliability of some common diagnoses. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 39(1), 28–38. doi:10.1097/00004583-200001000-00014.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Speltz, M. L., McClellan, J., DeKlyen, M., & Jones, K. (1999). Preschool boys with oppositional defiant disorder: Clinical presentation and diagnostic change. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 38(7), 838–845. doi:10.1097/00004583-199907000-00013.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Strickland, J., Hopkins, J., & Keenan, K. (2012). Mother-teacher agreement on preschoolers’ symptoms of ODD and CD: Does context matter? Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 40(6), 933–943. doi:10.1007/s10802-012-9622-y.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Waschbusch, D. A. (2002). A meta-analytic examination of comorbid hyperactive-impulsive-attention problems and conduct problems. Psychological Bulletin, 128(1), 118–150.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Webster-Stratton, C., Reid, M. J., & Hammond, M. (2001). Preventing conduct problems, promoting social competence: A parent and teacher training partnership in head start. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 30(3), 283–302. doi:10.1207/S15374424JCCP3003_2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Willoughby, M. T., Pek, J., Greenberg, M. T., & The Family Life Project Investigators. (2012). Parent-reported attention deficit/hyperactivity symptomatology in preschool-aged children: Factor structure, developmental change, and early risk factors. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 40(8), 1301–1312. doi:10.1007/s10802-012-9641-8.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, 441 Tobin Hall, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA

    Benjamin Rolon-Arroyo, David H. Arnold, Elizabeth A. Harvey & Nastassja Marshall

Authors
  1. Benjamin Rolon-Arroyo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. David H. Arnold
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Elizabeth A. Harvey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Nastassja Marshall
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Benjamin Rolon-Arroyo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Rolon-Arroyo, B., Arnold, D.H., Harvey, E.A. et al. Assessing Attention and Disruptive Behavior Symptoms in Preschool-Age Children: The Utility of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children. J Child Fam Stud 25, 65–76 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-015-0203-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-015-0203-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation