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The use of factor analysis for ascertaining patterns of psychopathology in children with intellectual disability
Author(s) -
Tonge B. J.,
Einfeld S. L.,
Krupinski J.,
Mackenzie A.,
McLaughlin M.,
Florio T.,
Nunn R. J.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of intellectual disability research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.941
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1365-2788
pISSN - 0964-2633
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2788.1996.tb00623.x
Subject(s) - varimax rotation , psychopathology , checklist , psychology , intellectual disability , psychiatry , clinical psychology , child psychopathology , sample (material) , psychometrics , chemistry , cronbach's alpha , chromatography , cognitive psychology
Abstract The Developmental Behaviour Checklist (DBC) was developed to assess psychopathology in children with intellectual disabilities. A cut–off point between ‘non–cases’ and ‘cases’ was determined by comparison of the total scores with psychiatric clinical assessment. This paper describes a method aimed at determining the types of psychiatric problems in those regarded as ‘cases’. Factor analysis with varimax rotation carried out on a sample of 1093 subjects extracted six faaors. Standardized factor scores were calculated for each subject in a community sample ( n = 450), and the only or the dominant positive score was determined for each of the ‘cases’. Over 80% of ‘cases’ could be allotted to one condition. Only a small number had none, or three or more conditions. The same procedure was replicated on a validation sample ( n = 448) with even more satisfactory results. Differences in the prevalence of the six conditions by sex, age and level of mental retardation were ascertained. The validity and clinical relevance of this method are discussed.