A PIC profile typology of children and adolescents: I. Empirically derived alternative to traditional diagnosis.

Abstract

This study investigated the utility of a multidimensional instrument, the Personality Inventory for Children (PIC), to serve as the data base for an empirically derived typology of child and adolescent psychopathology. A cluster-analytic technique was applied to T-score ranges of the 12 PIC full-length substantive profile scales for two independent samples of emotionally and behaviorally disturbed children and adolescents that included six criterion marker samples (hyperactive, psychotic, retarded, cerebral dysfunction, somatic, delinquent), for a total sample of N = 1,782. Eleven profile clusters replicated across samples and classified 82% of these profiles. Further analyses indicated that these replicated clusters differed in age, sex, and criterion marker sample composition, as well as on 18 of the 19 ratings of pathology dimensions obtained from parents, teachers, and clinicians. These results support the conclusion that the PIC may be valuable in the development of an empirically based classification system.

Subtypes of Psychopathology in Children Referred for Neuropsychological Assessment

“…First, to determine whether the subtypes of psychopathology proposed by Gdowski et al (1985) could be replicated in a heterogeneous neuropsychological sample, thereby supporting the validity of this empirically derived typology. However, based on the results of previous research investigations using specific neuropsychological samples, it was recognized that not all of the subtypes identified by Gdowski et al (1985) may be identified in the present sample.…”

“…While these children share important behavioral characteristics that are essential to their diagnostic label, they may differ in other characteristics that affect their general level of adjustment (Gdowski, Lachar & Kline, 1985). For example, children who present with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may also display symptomatology related to internalized behavior as well as problematic family or peer relationships (cf.…”

“…Considering the typology proposed by Gdowski et al (1985), it is clear that three categories of profiles exist: (a) profiles with an absence of psychopathology, or the presence of a single clinical scale elevation; (b) profiles indicating cognitive deficits either with or without significant psychopathology; and (c) profiles indicating primary concern with significant psychopathology and maladjustment. However, only certain subtypes proposed by Gdowski et al (1985) have been consistently replicated with specific neuropsychological samples, most often these indicating cognitive deficits either with or without psychopathology (Butler et al, 1997;Rourke & Fuerst, 1991).…”

Case history correlates of a Personality Inventory for Children (PIC) profile typology.

“…This profile typology is based on the Personality Inventory for Children (PIC; Wirt, Lachar, Klinedinst, & Seat, 1984), a parent-informant measure of child cognitive, emotional, and behavioral status. To briefly summarize this work, we conducted cluster analyses of PIC profiles to identify profile groups that replicated across independent psychiatric samples of children and adolescents (Gdowski, Lachar, & Kline, 1985). Subsequently, we devised rules to classify the PIC profiles of individual children into this typology .…”

“…Subsequently, we devised rules to classify the PIC profiles of individual children into this typology . We have also conducted several validation studies of this classification system using different types of external criteria (e.g., teacher and clinician symptom ratings; individually administered intelligence and scholastic tests; special education placement; psychiatric diagnoses; Gdowski et al, 1985;Kline, Lachar, & Boersma, 1987; press; Lachar, Kline, & Boersma, 1986).…”