A Review of Methods and Instruments for Assessing Externalizing Disorders: Theoretical and Practical Considerations in Rendering a Diagnosis.

Author(s)

David Reitman, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Regina Hummel, University of Mississippi
Diane Z. Franz, University of Massachussets Medical Center
Alan M. Gross, University of Mississippi

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-1998

Publication Title

Clinical Psychology Review

Volume

18

Issue/Number

5

First Page

555

ISSN

0272-7358

Last Page

584

Abstract/Excerpt

This review addresses the most current and widely used methods of assessing childhood and adolescent externalizing disorders. Interviews, rating scales, and self-report instruments are described, and their strengths and weaknesses are discussed. Direct observational techniques in naturalistic and analogue settings are also reviewed. Throughout the article, commentary is offered regarding the psychometric adequacy and clinical validity of these instruments. It is suggested that, although the instruments presently used to assist in diagnosing externalizing disorders generally possess adequate reliability and representational validity, evidence of elaborative validity is lacking. Clinicians and researchers are encouraged to adopt a broader conceptualization of the diagnostic process, to question existing standards for establishing validity, and to consider alternative means of demonstrating diagnostic utility.

DOI

10.1016/S0272-7358(98)00003-8

NSUWorks Citation

Reitman, D., Hummel, R., Franz, D. Z., Gross, A. M. (1998). A Review of Methods and Instruments for Assessing Externalizing Disorders: Theoretical and Practical Considerations in Rendering a Diagnosis.. Clinical Psychology Review, 18(5), 555-584.
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facarticles/274