Response shift in parent-reported psychopathology in children with chronic physical illness.

Abstract

Because physical-mental comorbidity in children is relatively common, this study tested for response shift (RS) in children with chronic physical illness using a parent-reported measure of child psychopathology. Data come from Multimorbidity in Children and Youth across Life-course (MY LIFE), a prospective study of n = 263 children aged 2-16years with physical illness in Canada. Parents provided information on child psychopathology using the Ontario Child Health Study Emotional Behavioral Scales (OCHS-EBS) at baseline and 24months. Oort's structural equation modeling was used to test for different forms of RS in parent-reported assessments between baseline and 24months. Model fit was evaluated using root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), comparative fit index (CFI), and standardized root mean residual (SRMR). There were n = 215 (81.7%) children with complete data and were included in this analysis. Of these, n = 105 (48.8%) were female and the mean (SD) age was 9.4 (4.2) years. A two-factor measurement model provided good fit to the data [RMSEA (90% CI) = 0.05 (0.01, 0.10); CFI = 0.99; SRMR = 0.03]. Non-uniform recalibration RS was detected on the conduct disorder subscale of the OCHS-EBS. This RS effect had negligible impact on the longitudinal change in externalizing and internalizing disorders construct over time. Response shift detected on the conduct disorder subscale of the OCHS-EBS, indicated that parents of children with physical illness may recalibrate their responses on child psychopathology over 24months. Researchers and health professionals should be aware of RS when using the OCHS-EBS to assess child psychopathology over time.