SCREENING FOR BEHAVIORAL AND EMOTIONAL-PROBLEMS IN PRIMARY-CARE PEDIATRICS

Case identification indexes based on the mother-completed Missouri Chi ldren's Behavior Checklist (MCBC) were compared with pediatrician iden tification of behavioral and emotional problems in 41 children seen fo r well-child examinations. Case identification indexes also were exami ned as a function of child gender and age and maternal education. The criterion was presence of DSM-III diagnoses determined through Child A ssessment Schedule interviews of child or mother. The MCBC yielded bet ter case identification indexes and improvements in both overidentific ation and underidentification rates. Pediatrician identification index es were directly related to maternal education and MCBC identification indexes were inversely related to child age. The findings indicate th e necessity for including child report, as well as mother report, in s creening procedures that are incorporated into primary care pediatric practice.