DSM-IV disorders in children with borderline to moderate intellectual disability. II: child and family predictors.
OBJECTIVE
To identify child and family factors that predict DSM-IV disorders in children with intellectual disability.


METHODS
In 1997, a total of 968 6- to 18-year-olds were randomly selected from Dutch schools for intellectual disability (response 69.3%). Parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist, Developmental Behavior Checklist, Vineland Screener, and instruments addressing their child's physical health, family functioning, and parental mental health. One year later, parents of 474 children, randomly selected from the 1997 participants (response 86.8%), completed the anxiety, mood, and disruptive disorder modules of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children-IV.


RESULTS
Both child and family factors were significantly related to DSM-IV outcome 1 year later. Social incompetence, inadequate daily living skills, child health problems, negative life events, emotional and behavioral problems, and parental mental health problems were the strongest predictors of DSM-IV disorders 1 year later. After correcting for the level of behavioral problems in the previous year, the first four factors proved to be significant risk factors for DSM-IV outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
These factors can improve the identification of children at risk and point to topics that need attention in diagnostic and intervention procedures.
Dekker
Marielle C
MC
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. m.c.dekker@erasmusmc.nl
Koot
Hans M
HM
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index