Accuracy of assessment: the discriminative and predictive power of the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory

Abstract

ABSTRACTObjective The discriminative and predictive power of the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI) was assessed using revised clinical cut‐off scores. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive power were calculated to evaluate the effectiveness of the revised score in screening children for treatment of disruptive behavior problems.Sample Participants were drawn from archival samples of 196 children aged 3–6 whose mothers had completed an ECBI. The disruptive behavior group (n = 98) consisted of children referred for psychological treatment who met diagnostic criteria for Oppositional Defiant Disorder or Conduct Disorder. The non‐diagnosed group (n = 98) consisted of children visiting pediatric clinics whose mothers did not check the box on their demographic information questionnaire endorsing the presence of behavior problems.Design Children in the non‐diagnosed group were selected to match the disruptive behavior group on socio‐economic status, age, and sex. The mothers' scores on the ECBI Intensity Scale were used to calculate the sensitivity and specificity, positive and negative predictive power, and kappa of the ECBI.Results The ECBI Intensity Scale correctly classified 91% of the children, with 96% of the diagnosed children correctly classified and 87% of the non‐diagnosed children correctly classified.Implications for practice This study further validates the ECBI for use as a screening measure for children in pediatric settings who require further evaluation or treatment for disruptive behavior problems.