Screening for DSM-IV externalizing disorders with the Child Behavior Checklist: a receiver-operating characteristic analysis.
BACKGROUND
This study examines the diagnostic accuracy of the CBCL syndrome AS scales for predicting DSM-IV Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder with or without Conduct Disorder (ODD/CD).


METHODS
The sample included 370 children (187 probands and 183 siblings) participating in a family genetic study of attention and aggressive behavior problems. Univariate and stepwise logistic regression analyses were used to derive models for predicting two diagnostic conditions: ADHD and ODD/CD.


RESULTS
The Attention Problems syndrome significantly predicted ADHD, and ODD/CD was significantly predicted by the Aggressive Behavior syndrome. Both scales demonstrated good diagnostic accuracy, as assessed through receiver operating characteristics analyses. Cut-point analyses confirmed the utility of low T-scores, 55 on the respective syndromes, for efficiently discriminating cases from noncases.


CONCLUSIONS
CBCL syndromes display good diagnostic efficiency for assessing common externalizing disorders in children.
Hudziak
James J
JJ
University of Vermont, Given Building, Room B229, Burlington, VT 05405, USA. james.hudziak@zoo.uvm.edu
Copeland
William
W
Stanger
Catherine
C
Wadsworth
Martha
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000374:Aggression; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D035781:Siblings