Screening of child behavior problems for prevention programs at school entry.

Lochman, J. E., & Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group. (1995). Screening of child behavior problems for prevention programs at school entry. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 63(4), 549-559.

DOI: https://doi.org/110.1037//0022-006x.63.4.549 

Abstract: Targeted programs designed to prevent conduct problems in childhood and adolescence rely on screening systems to identify high-risk individuals. This study examines the proximal usefulness of a multiple-gating approach to screening, using teacher and parent ratings in a two-step procedure with a sample of 382 kindergarten children. The study explored differences in the accuracy of the two steps of screening information and whether parents' reports of parenting practices augment the prediction of negative outcomes. The two-step screening system was found to effectively predict negative behavior outcomes over one year later, although some false-positive and false-negative predictions were evident. The Parenting Practices Screen did not substantially add to prediction accuracy. The discussion emphasizes the potential contributions and problems of using screening measures.