Measurement Invariance Across Parent and Self-Ratings of Extremely Low Birth Weight Survivors and Normal Birth Weight Controls in Childhood and Adolescence on the Child Behavior Checklist and Youth Self-Report

J Pediatr Psychol. 2015 Sep;40(8):825-33. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsv043. Epub 2015 May 16.

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the measurement invariance of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Youth Self-Report (YSR) DSM-oriented scales between extremely low birth weight (ELBW) and normal birth weight (NBW) youth.

Methods: The sample included 158 ELBW survivors and 145 matched, NBW controls at 8 and 12-16 years of age.

Results: Strict invariance was established at 8 years for parent-reported CBCL attention-deficit hyperactivity, conduct, and oppositional defiant scales, though invariance could not be established for affective problems at 8 or 12-16 years. Strict invariance was observed between 12-16-year-old ELBW and NBW groups on attention-deficit hyperactivity, anxiety, and oppositional defiant CBCL and YSR scales. Invariance could not be established for youth-reported conduct problems.

Conclusions: While the majority of CBCL/YSR DSM-oriented subscales assess the same concepts in both ELBW and NBW children and adolescents across parent and youth reports, this may not be the case for affective and conduct problems.

Keywords: Child Behavior Checklist; adolescent; child; extremely low birth weight; measurement invariance; youth self-report.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Birth Weight*
  • Checklist
  • Child
  • Child Behavior / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight / psychology*
  • Male
  • Parents / psychology*
  • Self Report*
  • Survivors / psychology*
  • Survivors / statistics & numerical data