title: Assessment of mental disorders in preschoolers: the multiaxial profiles of diagnostic classification 0-3.
abstract: A group of 291 preschoolers consecutively enrolled at the Early Childhood Mental Health Service of IRCSS Stella Maris (Italy) were assessed using the Diagnostic Classification Zero to Three (DC:0-3; ZERO TO THREE, 1994). All active variables were extracted from its five axes, and a multiple correspondence analysis was performed. This analysis evidenced four multiaxial clinical profiles: (a) Multisystem developmental disorders (Axis I) were correlated with the underinvolved quality of relationship (Axis II), medical conditions (Axis III), and a low level of emotional functioning (Axis V); (b) regulatory disorders (Axis I) were correlated with maladaptive or angry/hostile relationship (Axis II), medical conditions (Axis III), and an immature level of emotional functioning (Axis V); (c) affective disorders (Axis I) were correlated with anxious/tense relationship (Axis II), stress factors (Axis IV), and emotional functioning vulnerable to stress (Axis V); and (d) adjustment, feeding, and sleeping disorders (Axis I) were correlated with mild relationship disorders (Axis II) and important impact of stress factors (Axis IV). These findings support DC:0-3 as a valid tool to detect multiaxial profiles that could be useful to plan comprehensive treatments of the disorders.
authors.affiliation: University of Pisa, Calambrone, Italy.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maestro
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Olivia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Curzio
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Felloni
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grassi
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Intorcia
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petrozzi
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Salsedo
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Muratori
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012017:Referral and Consultation