DSM-IVSymptoms in community and clinic preschool children

Abstract

Objective: To describe and compare ratings of psychiatric symptoms in community and clinic samples (ages 3-6 years) using a DSM-IV-referenced rating scale.

Method: Parent (/and teacher) ratings were obtained for community (N = 531/398) and special education (N = 64/140) samples (1995-1997) and an outpatient clinic (N = 224/189) sample (1994-1996).

Results: Age and socioeconomic status were only minimally (r< 0.20) correlated with ratings of psychopathology. The most commonly endorsed symptom categories were attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety disorder, conduct disorder (teacher), and pervasive developmental disorder (clinic). Groups were easily differentiated by the rate and severity of symptoms (clinic > special education > community). Males generally received higher scores than females (especially teacher ratings). Children with ADHD symptoms had higher ratings of impairment (developmental deficits) than the non-ADHD group.

Conclusions: Although these findings share a number of similarities with studies of older children, there are also differences that attest to the uniqueness of this age group.