The reliability of early diagnostic of externalizing behaviour in question? Towards a multi-informant and multimethod strategy = Le diagnostic précoce des troubles du comportement externalisé est-il fiable? Mise à l’épreuve d’une procédure multi-informateurs et multiméthodes

摘要

Present study puts the reliability of early diagnostic of externalizing behavior in question. Data was provided with questionnaires and observation on 118 preschoolers when recruited and 12 months later by their parents, their teachers and clinicians. The results showed variations in prevalence rates according to the informant or the method employed. A method allowing for combining data from several informants was computed in order to display a valid diagnostic. The results imply the need for a multi-informant and multimethod assessment of preschoolers' disruptive behavior. The implications of our findings for both clinical and research purposes are discussed. (C) 2009 Societe francaise de psychologie. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.