Validity Study of the CBCL 6–18 for the Assessment of Emotional Problems in Youth With ASD

Abstract

Youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often present with emotional problems such as anxiety and depression (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). A recent study of the Child Behavior Checklist 6-18 (CBCL; Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001) indicated good sensitivity but relatively low specificity for identifying emotional problems in youth with ASD. The current study examined the extent to which variance in the CBCL's Anxious/Depressed, Withdrawn/Depressed, Internalizing Domain, and Total Problems scales was accounted for by symptoms of emotional problems relative to ASD symptoms. Correlation and multiple regression analyses indicated that these scales measured anxiety and depression but a small statistically significant proportion of variance in Total Problems scores was also accounted for by ASD symptoms. Results contribute to the emerging evidence base for the inclusion of the CBCL in assessment protocols for assessing emotional and behavioral problems in youth with ASD.

Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Caregivers: Capturing Health-Related and Care-Related Quality of Life

“…Because of the use of two age-dependent versions, we used t scores to ensure the comparability of scores. Previous research confirmed the good psychometric properties of the CBCL in ASD samples (Pandolfi et al 2009(Pandolfi et al , 2014.…”

Utility of the CBCL DSM-oriented scales in assessing emotional disorders in youth with autism

“…This implies that practitioners should be assessing for ED conditions in individuals with ASD. While this may occur upon initial diagnostic assessment routine monitoring for ED through formal screening is important for early identification (see Magyar & Pandolfi, 2012; Pandolfi & Magyar, 2016; Pandolfi, Magyar, & Dill, 2012; and Pandolfi, Magyar, & Norris, 2014). The use of third party report when used as part of a multimethod/informant approach is critical for a couple of reasons (e.g., see Tarbox, La Cava, & Hoang for a discussion on considerations in ASD assessment).…”

“…The Child Behavior Checklist 6–18 (CBCL; Achenbach & Rescorla (2001) is one widely used screening measure for emotional and behavioral problems (EBP) and was recently evaluated for its potential use in assessing youth with ASD (Pandolfi, Magyar, & Dill, 2012; Pandolfi, Magyar, & Norris, 2014). This norm-referenced caregiver completed questionnaire screens for a wide range of EBP.…”

“…In studies of youth with ASD, the CBCL’s syndrome scales demonstrated good reliability, validity, and diagnostic accuracy (see Pandolfi, Magyar, & Dill, 2012; Pandolfi, Magyar, & Norris, 2014). Yet, for those youth with more complex clinical presentations (i.e., developmental changes in their ASD symptom profile, presence of one or more ED with/without behavior problems), the interpretation of syndrome scale scores alone might be insufficient to assist the practitioner in making decisions about targeted screening for specific categories of ED.…”

Obesogenic behaviours and depressive symptoms in children: a narrative literature review

“…Across the studies, a variety of tools were used to assess depressive symptoms. These tools included the Depression Self Rating Scale for Children, (28,48) Kendel's Depressive Symptoms scale, (29,49) Child Behavior Checklist, (30,42) Child Depression Inventory, (31,32,35,41,44,50) Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire, (34,(36)(37)(38)(39)51) Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, (33,40,43,45,52,53) Beck Depression Inventory, (47,54) Child Symptom Inventory (55) and Global School-based Student Health Survey Questionnaire. (44,46) Each scale used a continuous score, with higher scores indicating greater depressive symptomology.…”