TY - JOUR

T1 - Dimensional profiling of psychopathology in children and adolescents based on the K-SADS-PL and an analysis of the construct validity of two ADHD symptom dimensions

AU - Hagstrøm, Julie

AU - Nielsen, Tine

AU - Sørensen, Mikkel E.

AU - Aagaard, Kristina

AU - Rasmussen, Morten Arendt

AU - Rosenberg, Julie B.

AU - Mohammadzadeh, Parisa

AU - Sevelsted, Astrid

AU - Hernández-lorca, María

AU - Fagerlund, Birgitte

AU - Rydkjær, Jacob

AU - Pagsberg, Anne Katrine

AU - Kaufman, Joan

AU - Ebdrup, Bjørn H.

AU - Bilenberg, Niels

AU - Jepsen, Jens Richardt Møllegaard

PY - 2024

Y1 - 2024

N2 - Objectives: The traditional view on psychiatric disorders as categorical and distinct is being challenged by perspectives emphasizing the relevance of dimensional and transdiagnostic assessment. However, most diagnostic instruments are based on a categorical view with a threshold-approach to disease classification.Methods: We here describe algorithms for dimensionalizing the psychopathological ratings of the widely used diagnostic interview for children and adolescents, the Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia – Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL). We further evaluate the criterion-related construct validity of the dimensionalized attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) scales using Rasch models in a sample of 590 children (mean age 10.29 (.36), 49% girls).Results: The algorithms generate scores of current symptom load, i.e., the sum of clinician-rated symptoms within each disorder assessed with the interview. We found support for counting symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, respectively, but not for a single combined ADHD scale.Conclusions: The algorithms constitute an initial step in creating a framework for clinician-rated dimensional analyses of symptoms derived from the K-SADS-PL, but future studies are needed to further evaluate the construct validity of the remaining scales and the reliability and clinical utility of the method. We believe that our proposed algorithms offer a novel method of dimensional psychopathological assessment, which can be applied in multiple branches of child and adolescent psychiatry.

AB - Objectives: The traditional view on psychiatric disorders as categorical and distinct is being challenged by perspectives emphasizing the relevance of dimensional and transdiagnostic assessment. However, most diagnostic instruments are based on a categorical view with a threshold-approach to disease classification.Methods: We here describe algorithms for dimensionalizing the psychopathological ratings of the widely used diagnostic interview for children and adolescents, the Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia – Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL). We further evaluate the criterion-related construct validity of the dimensionalized attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) scales using Rasch models in a sample of 590 children (mean age 10.29 (.36), 49% girls).Results: The algorithms generate scores of current symptom load, i.e., the sum of clinician-rated symptoms within each disorder assessed with the interview. We found support for counting symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, respectively, but not for a single combined ADHD scale.Conclusions: The algorithms constitute an initial step in creating a framework for clinician-rated dimensional analyses of symptoms derived from the K-SADS-PL, but future studies are needed to further evaluate the construct validity of the remaining scales and the reliability and clinical utility of the method. We believe that our proposed algorithms offer a novel method of dimensional psychopathological assessment, which can be applied in multiple branches of child and adolescent psychiatry.

U2 - 10.1080/08039488.2023.2262997

DO - 10.1080/08039488.2023.2262997

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 37755235

VL - 78

SP - 71

EP - 78

JO - Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, Supplement

JF - Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, Supplement

SN - 0803-9496

IS - 1

ER -