Abnormal Child Behavior in primary school students: A Bayesian network analysis

The Conners Teacher Rating Scale revised: short (CTRS-R: S) is a widely used psychometric instrument to screen for Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as well as a broader construct of abnormal child behavior. In this study, we aimed to examine the network structure of abnormal child behavior using the CTRS-R: S in a sample of 525 French-speaking primary school students from Belgium. We employed Bayesian network analysis to estimate both the 28-item network and the network with the 8 items with the highest strength centrality, using the PC algorithm and bootstrapping to estimate the figures. Our study uncovered associations between inattention symptoms and learning disorders, shedding new light on the complexity of abnormal child behavior. We also identified different network structures, revealing a fresh perspective on the underlying mechanisms of these conditions. Our findings, though preliminary, are consistent with previous research and add to the burgeoning literature on Bayesian network analysis in abnormal child behavior research. Overall, our study underscores the complexity of the construct of abnormal child behavior and the importance of considering multiple factors in screening and diagnosis, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to understanding and treating these disorders.