Abstract
Objective: To examine the reliability of the Disruptive Behavior Diagnostic Observation Schedule (DB-DOS), a new observational method for assessing preschool disruptive behavior. Method: The DB-DOS is a structured clinic-based assessment designed to elicit clinically salient behaviors relevant to the diagnosis of disruptive behavior in preschoolers. Child behavior is assessed in three interactional contexts that vary by partner (parent versus examiner) and level of support provided. Twenty-one disruptive behaviors are coded within two domains: problems in Behavioral Regulation and problems in Anger Modulation. A total of 364 referred and nonreferred preschoolers participated: interrater reliability and internal consistency were assessed on a primary sample (n = 335) and test-retest reliability was assessed in a separate sample (n = 29). Results: The DB-DOS demonstrated good interrater and test-retest reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated an excellent fit of the DB-DOS multidomain model of disruptive behavior. Conclusions: The DB-DOS is a reliable observational tool for clinic-based assessment of preschool disruptive behavior. This standardized assessment method holds promise for advancing developmentally sensitive characterization of preschool psychopathology.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 622-631 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry |
| Volume | 47 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jun 2008 |
Funding
This project was supported by National of Institute of Mental Health grants R01 MH68455 and MH62437 , National 0-3, and the Walden and Jean Young Shaw and Children's Brain Research Foundations.
Keywords
- Developmental psychopathology
- Diagnostic observation
- Disruptive behavior
- Preschool behavior problems
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Developmental and Educational Psychology