DSM-III-R DISORDERS IN PRESCHOOL-CHILDREN FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES

Objective: To generate rates of DSM-III-R disorders in a sample of pre school children from low-income families, examine impairment ratings f or preschool children meeting criteria for DSM-III-R disorders, and co mpare rates of psychopathology using DSM-III-R criteria with rates gen erated by the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Method: As part of an o ngoing longitudinal study of 104 mother-child dyads from low-income fa milies, data were gathered when children were 5 years of age. DSM-III- R disorders were diagnosed through the administration of the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children to t he mothers, and mothers competed the CBCL. Results: Rates of DSM-III-R disorders among preschool children from low-income families were high er than those reported in community samples, but comparable with rates for low-income school-age children and adolescents. Children meeting criteria for DSM-III-R disorders were rated as significantly impaired. The prevalence of behavioral and emotional problems was similar by bo th DSM-III-R criteria and the CBCL. There was some evidence, however, that the two systems identified different children. Conclusions: DSM-I II-R criteria appear to adequately identify preschool children with se rious behavioral and emotional problems. Longitudinal studies are need ed to explore further the relative utility of the DSM and CBCL in the identification of psychopathology in preschool children.