RECOGNITION AND CLASSIFICATION OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY IN PRESCHOOL-CHILDREN

Objective: The aim of this paper is to offer a critical overview of re search on preschool psychopathology, and to propose a working classifi cation based on the empirical evidence. Method: All of the existing fa ctor and cluster analytic studies, and those studies that attempted to establish the reliability and validity of the subcategories in presch ool behaviour disorder were reviewed. Applicability of the current cla ssifications (DSM-IV and ICD-10) to preschool age was examined. Result s: Empirical evidence suggests a well-established, externalising and i nternalising dichotomy, and a developmental problems factor where the instrument included these problems. There was also a strong tendency f or the externalising and internalising symptoms to overlap. Within the externalising factor, there is evidence suggesting that attention def icit hyperactivity should be separated out and recognised. Categories in the DSM-IV and ICD-10 classification did not correspond with the st atistically derived groups. Conclusion: A classification of preschool psychopathology that incorporates the age-specific disorders and risk factors is proposed. This is likely to increase the awareness of resea rchers, taxonomists and clinicians of psychopathology in preschool chi ldren, thereby leading to an early recognition.