Citation

Studts CR, Polaha J, van Zyl MA. J. Pediatr. Psychol. 2016; 42(4): 476-486.

Affiliation

Kent School of Social Work, University of Louisville.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/jpepsy/jsw090

PMID

27780840

Abstract

OBJECTIVE : Efficient identification and referral to behavioral services are crucial in addressing early-onset disruptive behavior problems. Existing screening instruments for preschoolers are not ideal for pediatric primary care settings serving diverse populations. Eighteen candidate items for a new brief screening instrument were examined to identify those exhibiting measurement bias (i.e., differential item functioning, DIF) by child characteristics.

METHOD : Parents/guardians of preschool-aged children (N = 900) from four primary care settings completed two full-length behavioral rating scales. Items measuring disruptive behavior problems were tested for DIF by child race, sex, and socioeconomic status using two approaches: item response theory-based likelihood ratio tests and ordinal logistic regression.

RESULTS : Of 18 items, eight were identified with statistically significant DIF by at least one method.

CONCLUSIONS : The bias observed in 8 of 18 items made them undesirable for screening diverse populations of children. These items were excluded from the new brief screening tool.

© The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Language: en