Psychometric evaluation of a DSM-5-based semi-structured parent interview for externalizing disorders in preschool children

PLoS ONE, vol. 21, pp. e0357785

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Reliable and valid diagnostic interviews for preschool-age children are needed to identify children with externalizing behavior problems requiring treatment and thus prevent adverse outcomes. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the semi-structured Clinical Parent Interview for Externalizing Disorders (ILF-EXTERNAL). METHODS: Data were collected from 211 children (3;0-6;11 years, 62% boys) who were screened for participation in a multicenter study on evidence-based stepped care treatments for preschool children with externalizing symptoms (ESCApreschool). The factor structure, interrater reliability, internal consistency, convergent validity, and divergent validity of the ILF-EXTERNAL were examined from a multi-rater perspective (clinicians, parents, preschool teachers). RESULTS: A first-order factor model with four correlated factors showed acceptable model fit and allowed for straightforward interpretability. Interrater reliability estimates were fair or moderate to good [intraclass correlation coefficients(1,1) = .52-.74]. Categorical diagnostic agreement was moderate (κ = .44-.52). The ILF-EXTERNAL scales exhibited acceptable to good internal consistencies (α ≥ .69, ω ≥ .72), except for the ADHD Functional Impairment scale (α = .65, ω = .68). Correlations between the ILF-EXTERNAL scale scores and the Externalizing Problems scale of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/1½-5) ranged from .38 to .56, whereas correlations with the Internalizing Problems scale ranged from .09 to .37. Except for one subscale, all ILF-EXTERNAL subscales correlated more strongly with the Externalizing Problems scale than with the Internalizing Problems scale, providing support for convergent and divergent validity. Cross-informant correlations between clinician and parent ratings were higher (r = .46-.65) than between clinician and preschool teacher ratings (r = .05-.33). CONCLUSION: The ILF-EXTERNAL shows sound psychometric properties in clinically referred preschool children with ADHD and/or ODD.

Authors 24

1. Lea Teresa Kohl corresponding

   University of Cologne

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Cologne

2. Felix Oswald

   University of Cologne

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Cologne

3. Ann‐Kathrin Thöne

   University of Cologne

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Cologne

4. Jana Rausch

   University of Cologne

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Cologne

5. Anja Görtz‐Dorten

   University of Cologne

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Cologne

6. Christina Dose

   University of Cologne

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Cologne

7. Christopher Hautmann

   University of Cologne

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Cologne

8. Anne‐Katrin Treier

   University of Cologne

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Cologne

9. Elena von Wirth

   University of Cologne · Universität Trier

   Affiliation as printed

   Trier University

   University of Cologne

10. Johanna Ketter

    Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg

    Affiliation as printed

    University of Marburg & University Hospital Marburg (UKGM)

11. Daria Kasperzack

    Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg

    Affiliation as printed

    University of Marburg & University Hospital Marburg (UKGM)

12. Tobias Banaschewski
    Affiliation as printed

    Mannheim/Heidelberg University

    Partner Site Mannheim-Heidelberg-Ulm

13. Daniel Brandeis

    University of Zurich · ETH Zurich · Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik Zürich

    Affiliation as printed

    Mannheim/Heidelberg University

    University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, University of Zurich

    University and ETH Zurich

14. Anna Kaiser
    Affiliation as printed

    Mannheim/Heidelberg University

    Partner Site Mannheim-Heidelberg-Ulm

15. Thomas Jans

    Universitätsklinikum Würzburg

    Affiliation as printed

    University Hospital of Würzburg

16. Julia M. Geissler

    Universitätsklinikum Würzburg

    Affiliation as printed

    University Hospital of Würzburg

17. Tanja Legenbauer

    Ruhr University Bochum

    Affiliation as printed

    Ruhr University Bochum

18. Tobias Renner

    Universitätsklinikum Tübingen · Deutsches Zentrum für Psychische Gesundheit · University of Tübingen

    Affiliation as printed

    German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Partner Site Tübingen

    University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Tübingen

    University of Tübingen

19. Luise Poustka

    University Hospital Heidelberg · Universitätsmedizin Göttingen

    Affiliation as printed

    University Hospital Heidelberg

    University Medical Center Göttingen

20. Kerstin Konrad Aachen

    Forschungszentrum Jülich · Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH and RWTH Aachen University

    Uniklinik RWTH Aachen

21. Michael G. Kölch

    University of Rostock

    Affiliation as printed

    Brandenburg Medical School, University Medical Center Ruppin-Brandenburg

    University of Rostock

22. Stefanie Bienioschek

    Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane · Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg

    Affiliation as printed

    Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane (MHB)

    University Hospital Ruppin-Brandenburg

    the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg and the Brandenburg Medical School

23. Katja Becker

    Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen · Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg

    Affiliation as printed

    University of Marburg & University Hospital Marburg (UKGM)

    University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen

24. Manfred Döpfner

    University of Cologne

    Affiliation as printed

    University of Cologne