Convergence Between the Achenbach Youth Self-Report and Structured Diagnostic Interview Diagnoses in ADHD and Non-ADHD Youth

Abstract

We evaluated the convergence of Achenbach youth self-report (YSR) scales with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and psychiatric comorbidity derived from self-report structured interviews. Subjects were 251 youths older than 12 years assessed with YSR scales and directly obtained structured diagnostic interview. We evaluated the strength of association between each YSR scale and structured-interview derived diagnoses using total predictive value (TPV) and odds ratios (OR). Excellent convergence was found between the YSR attention problems with the structured interview derived diagnosis of ADHD, between the YSR delinquent behavior scale and the diagnosis of conduct disorder, and between the YSR anxiety/depression and withdrawn scales and the diagnosis of major depression, and between the YSR social problems and somatic scales and the diagnosis of anxiety. These findings indicate that the YSR could serve as a rapid and cost-effective diagnostic tool to identify major psychopathology in high-risk adolescents.