Subtypes of Psychopathology in Children Referred for Neuropsychological Assessment

Abstract

The validity of a Personality Inventory for Children-Revised edition (PIC-R) typology was examined in a sample of 323 children aged 6-16 years. These children had been referred to a children's mental health centre for neuropsychological assessment. In study 1, K-means cluster analysis (k = 12) was applied to the PIC clinical scales in an attempt to replicate the 12 clusters identified by Gdowski, Lachar, and Kline (1985). Partial cluster replication was achieved. Examination of the obtained clusters revealed significant overlap, suggesting that fewer clusters would represent an optimal solution. In study 2, a two-stage cluster analysis yielded a seven-cluster solution consistent with several key forms of psychopathology previously reported in the literature using specific neuropsychological populations. Identified subtypes included profiles characterized as: normal, cognitive deficit, cognitive deficit with internalized psychopathology, cognitive deficit with social impairment, cognitive deficit with hyperactivity, cognitive deficit with both internalized and externalized psychopathology, and combined internalized and externalized psychopathology without a cognitive deficit component.

Cluster Subtypes on the California Verbal Learning Test–Children's Version After Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury

“…Performance on this test is also strongly predictive of special education placement 2 years after injury (Miller & Donders, 2003) and shows only partial recovery at even more extended follow-up (Yeates et al, 2002). Yet, pediatric diagnostic groups tend to be heterogeneous in their presentation, and focusing on group averages only may obscure subtypes of cognitive performance (Donders & Warschausky, 1997;Saunders, Hall, Casey, & Strang, 2000). This evaluation examines the possibility of subtypes of learning and memory after TBI, as assessed with the CVLT-C, through cluster analysis.…”

A Typology of Behavior Problems in Preschool Children

“…The seminal work of Edelbrock and Achenbach (1980) was the first attempt to develop an empirically based typology of psychopathology in school-aged children using cluster analysis, a statistical procedure that groups cases of a similar kind instead of variables. Other cluster analytic studies have been conducted with school-aged children using a variety of different measures, including the Missouri Children's Behavior Checklist (Curry & Thompson, 1985;Thompson, Kronenberger, & Curry, 1989), the Young Adult Behavior Checklist and Young Adult Self-Report (Achenbach, Howell, McConaughy, & Stanger, 1995), and the Personality Inventory for Children-Revised (PIC-R) as well as its predecessor the PIC (Butler, Rourke, Fuerst, & Fisk, 1997;Gdowski, Lachar, & Kline, 1985;Rourke & Fuerst, 1991;Saunders, Hall, Casey, & Strang, 2000). Several cluster analytic studies have also been conducted with school-aged children using the BASC teacher and parent rating scales.…”

Comparison of Mother and Father Report on the Personality Inventory for Children in a Non Referred Canadian Sample

“…Evidence of construct, criterion-related, and predictive validity for the PIC-R scales is reported in the test manual (Wirt, Lachar, Klinedinst & Seat, 1984). The PIC-R has also been validated through a number of investigations in varied clinical populations (e.g., Breen & Barkley, 1983; Butler Rourke, Fuerst & Fisk, 1997, Clarke, Kehle, Bullock & Jensen, 1987Gdowski, Lachar & Kline, 1985;Keenan & Lachar, 1988;Neiman & DeLong, 1987;Pritchard, Ball, Culbert & Faust, 1988;Rourke & Fuerst, 1991;Saunders, Hall, Casey & Strang, in press).…”