Convergence and concurrent validity of DSM-III diagnoses and the Personality Inventory for Children (PIC).

Abstract

Psychiatric diagnoses and objective behaviour rating scales represent alternative means to describe children's psychological disorders. Results of several studies regarding the convergence of diagnoses and rating scales have been mixed, raising questions about the nature of the relation between the two systems. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relations of DSM-III diagnoses and the parentinformant Personality Inventory for Children (PIC) within a sample of behaviourally disturbed children and adolescents. In addition, the ability of DSM-III diagnoses and the PIC to predict teacher and clinician behaviour ratings was compared. High proportions of children assigned specific DSM-HI diagnoses obtained elevated scores on related PIC scales, though the overlap was imperfect. Also, covariation of the teacher and clinician behaviour ratings was much stronger with the PIC than with DSM-III diagnoses. Implications of these findings for clinical practice with children are discussed.