Date of Award
4-3-2012
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Thomas V. Petros
Abstract
The diagnosis of bipolar disorders in children and adolescents has increased exponentially over the past 15 years. During this time, a number of important questions have lingered regarding diagnostic accuracy, especially when differentiating from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and core features of the bipolar disorders in children and adolescents. Recently, some have suggested a specific profile on the Child Behavior Checklist (the Child Behavior Checklist Pediatric Bipolar Disorder [CBCL-PBD] profile) as being an efficient method of screening children and adolescents for having a bipolar disorder. The present study examined children positive for the CBCL-PBD and positive for a diagnosis of ADHD, negative for the CBCL-PBD and positive for a diagnosis of ADHD, and emotionally normal control children on measures of neuropsychological functioning, academic achievement, and emotional/behavioral functioning. Broadly, limited differences were observed between groups on measures of psychological functioning; however, notable differences on measures of academic achievement and emotional/behavioral functioning were observed. These differences are addressed in relation to the utility of the CBCL-PBD in identifying cases of bipolar disorders and improving the ability of clinicians to differentially diagnose bipolar disorders in children and adolescents.
Recommended Citation
Ertelt, Troy W., "Neuropsychological, Academic Achievement, And Behavioral Differences Between The Child Behavior Checklist Pediatric Bipolar Disorder Profile, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, And Emotionally Normal Controls" (2012). Theses and Dissertations. 8122.
https://commons.und.edu/theses/8122