Convergence of Parent Report and Child Behavior using the Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System (DPICS)

The Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System (DPICS) is an analogue behavioral observation that examines the quality of parent-child interactions as well as child prosocial and disruptive behaviors. With previous research focusing primarily on parent verbal behaviors, there is limited psychometric support and understanding of the DPICS coding categories for child behaviors. As such, the current study investigated associations between child verbal behaviors coded using updated DPICS editions and parent ratings on measures of child functioning for externalizing, internalizing, and adaptive behavior. Participants were 120 parent-child dyads drawn from two samples who participated in a DPICS observation and completed measures. Children were between ages 2 and 11 and exhibited a range of clinical problems (e.g., conduct issues, anxiety, no clinical problems). Results revealed significant associations between child verbalizations coded during the DPICS and parent-reported child functioning for externalizing and adaptive areas but not for internalizing problems. Specifically, children who exhibited more negative talk and who were less compliant during the DPICS were rated higher on parent-report measures of externalizing behaviors, whereas children who asked more questions, engaged in more prosocial talk, and exhibited fewer vocalizations (e.g., yelling, whining) were rated higher on parent-reported measures of adaptive skills and lower on parent-report measures of externalizing behavior. These findings demonstrate convergence between observed child behavior and parent ratings, enhancing clinical interpretation of the DPICS child codes within a broader clinical population. This study provides support for multi-method assessment and highlights the need for future research examining bidirectional effects within parent-child interactions.