TEST-RETEST RELIABILITY OF THE DSM-III-R CHILDHOOD ANXIETY DISORDERS SYMPTOMS USING THE ANXIETY DISORDERS INTERVIEW SCHEDULE FOR CHILDREN

The authors examined the test-retest reliability (interval of 10 to 14 days) of parent and child reports of DSM-III-R symptoms of Separation Anxiety Disorder, Avoidant Disorder, and Overanxious Disorder using t he Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule (child and parent versions) fo r 66 children and their parents who presented at a childhood anxiety c linic. They also compared reliability for children 6 to 11 versus 12 t o 17 years of age. Overall, reliability was found to be satisfactory. Only a small number of differences were observed between the age group s. In addition, differences in the reliability of children's and paren ts' reports were minimal. The implications of the findings are discuss ed with respect to research on diagnostic interviewing procedures with children. Limitations and directions for future research are also dis cussed.