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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Validity of the pediatric inpatient behavior scale in an inpatient psychiatric setting
W G Kronenberger1, D Causey, B D Carter
1Indiana University School of Medicine, USA. wkronenb@iupui.edu
Insights
The Pediatric Inpatient Behavior Scale (PIBS) effectively measures behavior in hospitalized children. This validated tool aids in psychiatric care, diagnosis, and monitoring treatment outcomes for pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Behavioral Assessment
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Standardized assessment of pediatric behavior during psychiatric hospitalization is crucial for clinical practice.
- Limited research exists on the validity of behavior checklists for in-hospital settings.
- Accurate behavioral assessment informs treatment planning and outcome monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the validity of the Pediatric Inpatient Behavior Scale (PIBS) for assessing hospitalized children's behavior.
- To determine if PIBS scores correlate with diagnoses and symptoms.
- To assess the relationship between PIBS scores and self-reported depression and anxiety.
Main Methods:
- Nurses completed the PIBS for 41 children during their first week of psychiatric hospitalization.
- Child psychiatric diagnoses and symptoms were determined via chart review (DSM-IV).
- Children completed self-report measures for depression and anxiety.
Main Results:
- PIBS subscale scores significantly correlated with diagnoses and major symptoms, achieving 75-85% classification accuracy.
- PIBS scores showed a significant correlation with self-reported depression.
- No significant correlation was found between PIBS scores and state anxiety.
Conclusions:
- The Pediatric Inpatient Behavior Scale (PIBS) is a valid instrument for assessing behavior in hospitalized children with severe psychopathology.
- PIBS demonstrates utility in clinical settings for evaluating and monitoring pediatric psychiatric inpatients.
- Further research may explore PIBS's application in diverse pediatric psychiatric populations.
Abstract:
Standardized assessment of children's behavior during psychiatric hospitalization is increasingly important for evaluation, chart documentation, treatment planning, and outcome monitoring, yet little research has been done to validate the use of behavior checklists developed specifically to assess in-hospital behavior. The Pediatric Inpatient Behavior Scale (PIBS) was evaluated for its validity as a measure of behavior of children hospitalized on a psychiatric unit. Nurses completed the PIBS for 41 children, based on behavior observed during the first week of hospitalization. DSM-IV diagnoses and major symptoms were coded based on chart review, and children completed self-report measures of depression and anxiety. The Pediatric Inpatient Behavior Scale subscale scores were related significantly to diagnosis, as well as to major symptoms, correctly classifying 75 to 85% of cases. The Pediatric Inpatient Behavior Scale subscale scores also significantly correlated with self-reported symptoms of depression, but not symptoms of state anxiety. Results support the use of the PIBS as a behavioral instrument for hospitalized children with severe psychopathology.
