Test-retest reliability of the Spanish version of the Diagnostic InterviewSchedule for Children (DISC-IV)

The test-retest reliability of the Spanish Diagnostic Interview Schedule fo r Children (DISC-IV) is presented. This version was developed in Puerto Ric o in consultation with an international bilingual committee, sponsored by N IMH. The sample (N = 146) consisted of children recruited from outpatient m ental health clinics and a drug residential treatment facility. Two differe nt pairs of nonclinicians administered the DISC twice to the parent and chi ld respondents. Results indicated fair to moderate agreement for parent rep orts on most diagnoses. Relatively similar agreement levels were observed f or last month and last year time frames. Surprisingly, the inclusion of imp airment as a criterion for diagnosis did not substantially change the patte rn of results for specific disorders. Parents were more reliable when repor ting on diagnoses of younger (4-10) than older children. Children 11-17 yea rs old were reliable informants on disruptive and substance abuse/dependenc e disorders, but unreliable for anxiety and depressive disorders. Hence, pa rents were more reliable when reporting about anxiety and depressive disord ers whereas children were more reliable than their parents when reporting a bout disruptive and substance disorders.