Study V: Children's Interview for Psychiatric Syndromes (ChIPS): Psychometrics in two community samples

Objective: To determine sensitivity and specificity of the Diagnostic and S tatistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.) (DSM-TV) revised Children's Interview for Psychiatric Syndromes (ChIPS) in nonclinical samples. Method: Participants were 40 children 6 to 18 years of age from a community sample (n = 22) or a bereaved sample 1 to 2 years following the death of a parent (n = 18). ChIPS and the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adole scents (DICA-R-C) were administered in a Latin Square design. A consensus c onference (CC) of child psychopathology experts determined presence or abse nce of syndromes or symptoms after reviewing assessment materials not inclu ding ChIPS. Results: Sensitivity is commensurate with epidemiologic base rates (17.5% o f participants endorsed at least one syndrome). Low base rate kappas and pe rcentage agreement were calculated to determine agreement on symptom or syn drome endorsement for 20 disorders. For syndrome analyses, over half the ka ppas could not be calculated due to 100% agreement on absence. For symptom analyses, 3 of 20 kappas could not be calculated (100% agreement on absence ). Eleven of ChIPS/DICA-R-C symptom kappas were significant (p < 0.04), 3 o f 17 had 95% agreement (kappas, p < 0.08), and 4 of 17 had 97.5% agreement (kappas, p < 0.16). Thirteen of 17 ChIPS/CC symptom kappas were significant (p < 0.04), and 4 of 17 had 97.5% agreement (kappas, p < 0.16). Conclusion: ChIPS' psychometrics in nonclinical samples compares favorably with that of other structured interviews.