Identification of elementary school children at risk for disruptive behavioral disturbance: validation of a combined screening method.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the validity of the teacher-rated Inattention/Overactivity With Aggression (IOWA Conners) questionnaire followed by the Conners Abbreviated Symptom Questionnaire (CASQ) as a feasible, combined screening method to identify children at high risk for externalizing behavioral disturbance in a school setting.


METHODS
The IOWA Conners and CASQ were administered to the entire population of children, grades K through 6, in a single elementary school. Using a whole-number IOWA Conners threshold score of 18 (1.5 SD), coupled with a CASQ score of 18 (1.0 SD), a high-risk group and an age-, sex-, and classroom-matched low-risk control group were selected for comparison on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Teacher's Report Form (TRF), Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS), and Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents-Revised diagnoses.


RESULTS
The data showed significant intergroup differences in CBCL (p < .0002), TRF (p < .0006), and CAFAS (p < .0002) scores and higher numbers of DSM diagnoses (1.7 +/- 0.3 versus 0.1 +/- 0.3, p < .0007) between the high- and low-risk group. The positive predictive value for externalizing diagnoses for the IOWA Conners plus CASQ was 100% and negative predictive value was 70%.


CONCLUSIONS
The IOWA Conners combined with the CASQ is a useful initial screening strategy in the school setting for identification of children with disruptive behavioral difficulties.
Casat
C D
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Behavioral Health Center, Charlotte, NC 28211, USA.
Norton
H J
HJ
Boyle-Whitesel
M
M
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D009657:North Carolina; D010290:Parents; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards*; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D012572:School Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States