Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 15, 2026

Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses
14:05

Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses

Published on: January 23, 2017

29.8K

Screening for Persistent Psychopathology in 4-Year-Old Children

Trude Hamre Sveen1,2, Turid Suzanne Berg-Nielsen3, Stian Lydersen4

  • 1Departments of Psychology and trude.hamre.sveen@svt.ntnu.no.

Pediatrics
|September 18, 2016
PubMed

Insights

The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) shows promise for identifying persistent childhood psychiatric disorders. However, its high false-positive rate raises concerns about its clinical utility in low-prevalence primary care settings.

Area of Science:

  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Public Health Screening

Background:

  • Preschool-onset psychiatric disorders can be persistent or transient, impacting long-term outcomes.
  • Effective screening tools are needed for early identification and intervention in primary care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the screening efficiency of the parent version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQP4-16) for persistent versus transient psychiatric disorders in young children.
  • To assess the SDQP4-16's ability to differentiate between persistent and transient disorders.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based cohort study of 1038 Norwegian children assessed at ages 4 and 6.
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) diagnoses were established using the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment Interview.
  • Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was employed to compare SDQP4-16 performance against established diagnoses.

Main Results:

  • The SDQP4-16 demonstrated higher screening efficiency for persistent disorders (AUC=0.85) than transient disorders.
  • The tool could discriminate persistent from transient disorders with an AUC of 0.71.
  • A high negative predictive value (99.6%) was observed, but the positive predictive value was low (9.5%) due to low prevalence (1.8%) of persistent disorders.

Conclusions:

  • The SDQP4-16 is a sensitive instrument for detecting persistent psychiatric disorders in preschoolers.
  • A significant proportion of positive screens represent non-persistent cases, indicated by a high false-positive rate.
  • The clinical utility of the SDQP4-16 for primary care screening of persistent disorders is uncertain, especially in low-prevalence populations.
Abstract

More Related Videos

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients05:48

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients

Published on: June 12, 2020

6.6K
An Electrophysiology Protocol to Measure Reward Anticipation and Processing in Children05:04

An Electrophysiology Protocol to Measure Reward Anticipation and Processing in Children

Published on: October 4, 2018

7.4K

Related Concept Videos

Oppositional Defiant Disorder01:30

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

A persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, defiant behavior, or vindictiveness characterizes Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Symptoms must occur over at least six months, involve interactions with individuals beyond siblings, and meet specific diagnostic criteria to be clinically significant. The disorder affects emotional regulation, social interactions, and behavior, often manifesting early in life and influencing long-term development and functioning.
Diagnostic Criteria and...
1.1K
Conduct Disorder01:28

Conduct Disorder

Conduct disorder is a complex mental health diagnosis characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates societal norms, the rights of others, or age-appropriate rules. The diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder require the presence of at least three problematic behaviors within the past 12 months, with at least one occurring in the past six months. These behaviors are grouped into four categories: aggression toward people and animals; destruction of property;...
779
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
1.2K
Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Anal01:26

Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Anal

Sigmund Freud's theory of psychosexual development describes the anal stage as occurring between 18 months and three years of age. During this period, children derive pleasure from controlling and releasing their bowel movements. However, they quickly learn that societal expectations impose restrictions on when and where this can happen. This stage marks a critical point where children begin to develop a sense of control and mastery over their bodily functions, as well as their broader...
4.7K