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The prevalence of child‐psychiatric disorders among 8–9‐year‐old children in Danish mainstream schools
Author(s) -
Bilenberg N.,
Petersen D. J.,
Hoerder K.,
Gillberg C.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2004.00432.x
Subject(s) - cbcl , danish , psychopathology , psychiatry , respondent , epidemiology , checklist , medicine , child behavior checklist , clinical psychology , psychology , linguistics , philosophy , political science , law , cognitive psychology
Objective: Prevalence rates for child psychopathology in Denmark are unknown; and efficient screening and non‐respondent analyses are essential for epidemiological purposes. Method: A multi‐method strategy involving a two‐step design: first screening of 621 children between the ages of 8–9 years attending mainstream education using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). Second, screen‐positive probands and a sample of screen‐negative probands were given in‐depth child‐psychiatric assessment. In cases of non‐respondents, children were assessed by teachers. Results: CBCL screening results were compared with case status in clinical assessment. A positive predictive value of 0.25 and a correct classification rate (CCR) of 0.72 were obtained. The teacher interviews, used in cases of non‐respondents, had a CCR of 0.87. According to DSM‐IV criteria, the prevalence rate of psychiatric disorders was 10.l% [95% CI; 7.0–13.2]. Conclusions: The CBCL proved an effective screening tool. The brief interview with teachers is a valid assessment of psychiatric disorders among non‐respondents.