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Five-year predictive validity of DSM-IV conduct disorder research diagnosis in 4½–5-year-old children

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Abstract

Objective

This longitudinal study of a non-referred, population-based sample tested the 5-year predictive validity of the DSM-IV conduct disorder (CD) research diagnosis in children 4½–5 years of age.

Method

In the E-Risk Study, a representative birth cohort of 2,232 children, mothers were interviewed and teachers completed mailed questionnaires to assess children’s past 6-month CD symptoms. A follow-up assessment was conducted when children were 10 years old.

Results

CD-diagnosed 5-year-olds were significantly more likely than controls to have behavioural and educational difficulties at age 10. Increased risk for age-10 educational difficulties persisted after controlling for age-5 IQ and ADHD diagnosis. Although the majority of CD-diagnosed 5-year-olds had no CD symptoms at age 10, findings suggest that these “remitted” children continued to experience behavioural and educational problems 5 years later despite their apparent remission from CD.

Conclusions

DSM-IV CD symptoms validly identify preschool-aged children who continue to have behavioural and educational problems in middle-childhood.

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Notes

  1. To illustrate, 1-week test–retest reliability of the CD diagnosis assessed by the Kiddie Disruptive Behavior Disorders Schedule, a structured clinical interview, in a clinic-referred sample of preschoolers was 0.73 [15], which is very good but falls short of perfect even over a few days.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the Study families and teachers for their participation. We thank Robert Plomin and Michael Rutter for their contributions, Thomas Achenbach for kind permission to adapt the CBCL, and members of the E-Risk team for their dedication, insights, and hard work. This research was supported by grants from the UK Medical Research Council (G9806489 & G0100527), and the ESRC-SCOPIC Network. Dr. Caspi is a recipient of a Royal Society-Wolfson Research Merit Award.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Psychology, Yale University, PO Box 208205, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA

    Julia Kim-Cohen PhD

  2. Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, London, UK

    Louise Arseneault PhD, Felicity Adams MSc, Heather Bolton MSc, Lisa Cant MSc, Kira Delgado MSc, Jo Freeman BA, Ania Golaszewski BSc, Katerina Kelesidi MSc, Charlotte Matthews BSc, Nicky Mountain BSc, Donna Oxley MA, Susanne Watson BSc, Helen Werts BA, Avshalom Caspi PhD & Terrie E. Moffitt PhD

  3. Health Sponsorship Council, Wellington, New Zealand

    Rhiannon Newcombe PhD

  4. National Academy of Parenting Pactitioners, London, UK

    Jo Freeman BA

  5. Duke University, Durham, USA

    Avshalom Caspi PhD & Terrie E. Moffitt PhD

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  1. Julia Kim-Cohen PhD
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Correspondence to Julia Kim-Cohen PhD.

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Kim-Cohen, J., Arseneault, L., Newcombe, R. et al. Five-year predictive validity of DSM-IV conduct disorder research diagnosis in 4½–5-year-old children. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 18, 284–291 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-008-0729-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-008-0729-1

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