Further evidence of the reliability and validity of DSM-IV ODD and CD in preschool children.
OBJECTIVE
To test the reliability and validity of DSM-IV oppositional defiant and conduct disorders (ODD and CD) and symptoms using the Kiddie Disruptive Behavior Disorders Schedule and generate data on the manifestation of symptoms of ODD and CD in 3- to 5-year-old children.


METHODS
One hundred twenty-three consecutive referrals to a child and adolescent psychiatry clinic and 100 children recruited from a pediatric clinic and their biological mothers participated. Mothers were interviewed about current ODD and CD symptoms, and mother and teachers completed measures of impairment. Twenty-five percent of the interviews were randomly selected and coded by a second rater to test interrater reliability. A separate sample of 31 children was recruited for a 1-week test-retest study.


RESULTS
Overall, reliability of ODD and CD symptoms as measured by interrater and test-retest reliability was moderate to high. Reliability was not affected by age or sex of the child. Validity was demonstrated via associations with impairment and differentiation between referred and nonreferred children.


CONCLUSIONS
Most DSM-IV ODD and CD symptoms can be reliably and validly assessed in preschool children. Some developmental modifications are recommended. The results add to the literature on best methods of assessment of preschool psychopathology.
Keenan
Kate
K
Drs. Keenan and Humphries are with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago; Drs. Wakschlag, Danis, and Hill are with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago; Ms. Duax is a doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland; and Ms. Donald is a doctoral student in the Harris School of Public Policy and The University of Chicago. Electronic address: kkeenan@yoda.bsd.uchicago.edu.
Wakschlag
Lauren S
LS
Drs. Keenan and Humphries are with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago; Drs. Wakschlag, Danis, and Hill are with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago; Ms. Duax is a doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland; and Ms. Donald is a doctoral student in the Harris School of Public Policy and The University of Chicago.
Danis
Barbara
B
Drs. Keenan and Humphries are with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago; Drs. Wakschlag, Danis, and Hill are with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago; Ms. Duax is a doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland; and Ms. Donald is a doctoral student in the Harris School of Public Policy and The University of Chicago.
Hill
Carri
C
Drs. Keenan and Humphries are with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago; Drs. Wakschlag, Danis, and Hill are with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago; Ms. Duax is a doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland; and Ms. Donald is a doctoral student in the Harris School of Public Policy and The University of Chicago.
Humphries
Marisha
M
Drs. Keenan and Humphries are with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago; Drs. Wakschlag, Danis, and Hill are with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago; Ms. Duax is a doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland; and Ms. Donald is a doctoral student in the Harris School of Public Policy and The University of Chicago.
Duax
Jeanne
J
Drs. Keenan and Humphries are with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago; Drs. Wakschlag, Danis, and Hill are with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago; Ms. Duax is a doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland; and Ms. Donald is a doctoral student in the Harris School of Public Policy and The University of Chicago.
Donald
Radiah
R
Drs. Keenan and Humphries are with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago; Drs. Wakschlag, Danis, and Hill are with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago; Ms. Duax is a doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland; and Ms. Donald is a doctoral student in the Harris School of Public Policy and The University of Chicago.
D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results