Prevalence Rates and Correlates of Psychiatric Disorders among Preschool Children

Viewing Preschool Disruptive Behavior Disorders and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Through a Developmental Lens: What We Know and What We Need to Know

“…16 Across community samples, prevalence rates of ODD have ranged from 4% to 16.6%, which is similar to that found in older children. 17 Importantly, although Lavigne and colleagues 15 found the highest rates of ODD (i.e., 16.6%), this rate was reduced in half when impairment associated with the symptoms was required for the diagnosis (i.e., 8.1%). Thus, the presence of symptoms of DBDs alone is misleading, and interpreting the presence of symptoms as disorder likely results in higher prevalence of DBDs when impairment resulting from these symptoms is not taken into account.…”

“…Early studies often used nonstandardized, relatively minor modifications of existing diagnostic instruments to determine diagnosis 13,14 or determined diagnosis through clinical consensus using multiple and varied assessment information. 15 Most recently, interviews specifically validated for the preschool period have been employed, including the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA), 3 in addition to other diagnostic tools (Kiddie Disruptive Behavior Disorders Schedule), which have been evaluated using clinical samples. 16 Across community samples, prevalence rates of ODD have ranged from 4% to 16.6%, which is similar to that found in older children.…”

Detecting Psychiatric Disorders in Preschoolers: Screening With the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire

“…1,2 Prospective studies indicate that later behavioral and emotional problems begin already in the preschool years. [3][4][5] Available preschool studies report prevalences varying between 7% and 26%, [6][7][8][9][10][11] figures which are comparable to those found among school-aged children, adolescents and adults. 12 The potential long-term effects of treating preschool psychopathology may thus be vast.…”

“…The prevalence in the present population 11 was in line with Scandinavian findings [22][23][24][25] and fairly low compared to other preschool studies in the US. [6][7][8][9][10] Thus, to increase the generalizability of our results, we will determine screening efficiencies for the most common range of prevalences.…”

Parenting and child externalizing behaviors: Are the associations specific or diffuse?

“…Notably, 5 to 13% of mothers of preschoolers report that their children exhibit moderate to severe externalizing behaviors, with even greater rates among socioeconomically disadvantaged families (e.g., Campbell, Shaw, & Gilliom, 2000;Lavigne et al, 1996;Webster-Stratton & Hammond, 1998). Untreated externalizing behaviors are associated with a wide range of negative outcomes for children and adolescents and, based on the early starter model of externalizing problem behavior (see McMahon, Wells, & Kohler, 2006), often have effects that last into adulthood, including substance use, unstable employment, and relationship difficulties (Champion, Goodall, & Rutter, 1995;McMahon et al, 2006;Offord & Bennett, 1994).…”