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DSM-III-R disorders in preschool children from low-income families
Insights
This study found that Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition, Revised (DSM-III-R) criteria effectively identify behavioral and emotional problems in low-income preschoolers. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) showed similar prevalence rates but identified different children.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Developmental Psychology
- Mental Health Services Research
Background:
- Preschool children from low-income families are at higher risk for behavioral and emotional disorders.
- Accurate identification of psychopathology in early childhood is crucial for timely intervention.
- Existing diagnostic criteria and screening tools require validation in diverse populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition, Revised (DSM-III-R) disorders in low-income preschoolers.
- To assess the level of impairment in preschool children diagnosed with DSM-III-R disorders.
- To compare the diagnostic rates of DSM-III-R criteria with those from the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study involving 104 mother-child dyads from low-income families.
- DSM-III-R disorders were assessed using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children administered to mothers when children were 5 years old.
- Mothers also completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).
Main Results:
- DSM-III-R disorder rates in this low-income preschool sample were higher than in general community samples but comparable to older low-income groups.
- Children meeting DSM-III-R criteria exhibited significant impairment.
- Both DSM-III-R criteria and the CBCL identified a similar prevalence of behavioral and emotional problems, though they identified different children.
Conclusions:
- DSM-III-R criteria appear effective in identifying preschool children with significant behavioral and emotional issues.
- Further longitudinal research is necessary to understand the comparative utility of DSM and CBCL in preschool psychopathology detection.
- Both diagnostic systems show promise but may capture different facets of child psychopathology.
Objective:
To generate rates of DSM-III-R disorders in a sample of preschool children from low-income families, examine impairment ratings for preschool children meeting criteria for DSM-III-R disorders, and compare rates of psychopathology using DSM-III-R criteria with rates generated by the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).
Method:
As part of an ongoing longitudinal study of 104 mother-child dyads from low-income families, data were gathered when children were 5 years of age. DSM-III-R disorders were diagnosed through the administration of the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children to the mothers, and mothers competed the CBCL.
Results:
Rates of DSM-III-R disorders among preschool children from low-income families were higher than those reported in community samples, but comparable with rates for low-income school-age children and adolescents. Children meeting criteria for DSM-III-R disorders were rated as significantly impaired. The prevalence of behavioral and emotional problems was similar by both DSM-III-R criteria and the CBCL. There was some evidence, however, that the two systems identified different children.
Conclusions:
DSM-III-R criteria appear to adequately identify preschool children with serious behavioral and emotional problems. Longitudinal studies are needed to explore further the relative utility of the DSM and CBCL in the identification of psychopathology in preschool children.