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Using the Achenbach Child Behaviour Checklist in the differential diagnosis of disruptive behaviour disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Thomas P Kelly  and
Paul McArdle
Thomas P Kelly
Affiliation:
Dept of Clinical Psychology, Ridley Building, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 7RU, England
Paul McArdle
Affiliation:
Fleming Nuffield Unit, 1 Tankerville Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
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Abstract

Objective: The report considers the utility of the Achenbach Child Behaviour Checklist in the differential diagnosis of the disruptive behaviour disorders.

Method: Subscale scores on the parent completed Achenbach Child Behaviour Checklist were compared for three of 15 boys, the first diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the second diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder and a third non-clinical control.

Result: The attention subscale of the Achenbach Child Behaviour Checklist was found to have a high level of sensitivity to children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, but relatively poor specificity. The delinquent subscale was found to have limited sensitivity for oppositional defiant/conduct disorder group, but high levels of specificity. The aggressive subscale were found to have relatively high sensitivity for the oppositional defiant/conduct disorder group and relatively high specificity.

Conclusion: The Achenbach Child Behaviour Checklist is useful in distinguishing between children with disruptive behaviour disorders and a non-clinical sample. The aggressive subscale appears to have potential clinical utility in the differential diagnosis of the disruptive behaviour disorders.

Type
Brief Reports
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 14 , Issue 4 , December 1997 , pp. 136 - 138
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1997

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