Psychometric evaluation of a DSM-5-based semi-structured parent interview for externalizing disorders in preschool children.
Reliable and valid diagnostic interviews for preschool-age children are needed to identify children with externalizing behavior problems requiring treatment and thus prevent adverse outcomes. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the semi-structured Clinical Parent Interview for Externalizing Disorders (ILF-EXTERNAL).
Data were collected from 211 children (3;0-6;11 years, 62% boys) who were screened for participation in a multicenter study on evidence-based stepped care treatments for preschool children with externalizing symptoms (ESCApreschool). The factor structure, interrater reliability, internal consistency, convergent validity, and divergent validity of the ILF-EXTERNAL were examined from a multi-rater perspective (clinicians, parents, preschool teachers).
A first-order factor model with four correlated factors showed acceptable model fit and allowed for straightforward interpretability. Interrater reliability estimates were fair or moderate to good [intraclass correlation coefficients(1,1) = .52-.74]. Categorical diagnostic agreement was moderate (κ = .44-.52). The ILF-EXTERNAL scales exhibited acceptable to good internal consistencies (α ≥ .69, ω ≥ .72), except for the ADHD Functional Impairment scale (α = .65, ω = .68). Correlations between the ILF-EXTERNAL scale scores and the Externalizing Problems scale of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/1½-5) ranged from .38 to .56, whereas correlations with the Internalizing Problems scale ranged from .09 to .37. Except for one subscale, all ILF-EXTERNAL subscales correlated more strongly with the Externalizing Problems scale than with the Internalizing Problems scale, providing support for convergent and divergent validity. Cross-informant correlations between clinician and parent ratings were higher (r = .46-.65) than between clinician and preschool teacher ratings (r = .05-.33).
The ILF-EXTERNAL shows sound psychometric properties in clinically referred preschool children with ADHD and/or ODD.
Data were collected from 211 children (3;0-6;11 years, 62% boys) who were screened for participation in a multicenter study on evidence-based stepped care treatments for preschool children with externalizing symptoms (ESCApreschool). The factor structure, interrater reliability, internal consistency, convergent validity, and divergent validity of the ILF-EXTERNAL were examined from a multi-rater perspective (clinicians, parents, preschool teachers).
A first-order factor model with four correlated factors showed acceptable model fit and allowed for straightforward interpretability. Interrater reliability estimates were fair or moderate to good [intraclass correlation coefficients(1,1) = .52-.74]. Categorical diagnostic agreement was moderate (κ = .44-.52). The ILF-EXTERNAL scales exhibited acceptable to good internal consistencies (α ≥ .69, ω ≥ .72), except for the ADHD Functional Impairment scale (α = .65, ω = .68). Correlations between the ILF-EXTERNAL scale scores and the Externalizing Problems scale of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/1½-5) ranged from .38 to .56, whereas correlations with the Internalizing Problems scale ranged from .09 to .37. Except for one subscale, all ILF-EXTERNAL subscales correlated more strongly with the Externalizing Problems scale than with the Internalizing Problems scale, providing support for convergent and divergent validity. Cross-informant correlations between clinician and parent ratings were higher (r = .46-.65) than between clinician and preschool teacher ratings (r = .05-.33).
The ILF-EXTERNAL shows sound psychometric properties in clinically referred preschool children with ADHD and/or ODD.
Authors
Kohl Kohl, Oswald Oswald, Thöne Thöne, Rausch Rausch, Görtz-Dorten Görtz-Dorten, Dose Dose, Hautmann Hautmann, Treier Treier, von Wirth von Wirth, Ketter Ketter, Kasperzack Kasperzack, Banaschewski Banaschewski, Brandeis Brandeis, Kaiser Kaiser, Jans Jans, Geissler Geissler, Legenbauer Legenbauer, Renner Renner, Poustka Poustka, Konrad Konrad, Kölch Kölch, Bienioschek Bienioschek, , Becker Becker, Döpfner Döpfner
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