A study investigated the use of the ADHD-IV Rating Scale-School Version, with students (ages 5-18). Results suggest the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder construct is consistent across gender, however, there are differences across gender and ethnicity. For Caucasian children, externalizing behaviors are most salient in terms of…

This study examined the normative and construct equivalence of the teacher IOWA Conners Rating Scale (IOWA) with 3,998 elementary school children in an urban school district. Risk odds ratios were calculated by gender and ethnicity. Significant racial differences suggested that, although there is construct equivalence across racial groups, there…

This study examined use of psychotropic drug treatment with 488 children and youth. It found that younger children, girls, and those with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder were more likely than adolescent males with conduct disorders to receive medication. Stimulants, tricyclic antidepressants, and neuroleptics were the drug types most…

A sample of 364 homeless adolescents was interviewed about residential and family histories. Results indicate the youth came from generally troubled backgrounds and had elevated rates of psychiatric disorders. Boys' histories typically included physical abuse and girls' histories were more often marked by sexual abuse. (Contains references.)…

A model for treatment foster care is described, and data are presented on disruption rates. The likelihood of placement disruption for 90 participants (ages 2-16) was two times higher during the first 6 months than the second 6 months. Twenty-three experienced placement disruption, with older girls at the greatest risk. (Contains references.)…

Students (n=87) with conduct disorders revealed higher self-ratings and teacher ratings in depression and anxiety than students with learning disabilities (LD) or no disabilities. LD students (n=85) did not self-rate as more depressed and anxious than nondisabled children but received higher depression ratings from teachers. Gender, age, and…

A study examined 127 parents' understanding of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and differences by ethnicity, child gender, treatment status, and sociodemographic status. White parents were more likely than African-American parents to apply medical labels, expect a lifelong course, seek school interventions, and address academic…

A study examined juvenile cases processed in an East Coast state between 1992 and 1994 (n=33,423). Findings indicate mental health placements are used rarely relative to other court outcomes (i.e., dismissal, probation, other types of placements), and gender and race significantly influence whether an offender receives this type of treatment.…

Two cohorts of 3694 second-grade children were screened for emotional/behavioral disorders (EBD). Children were identified by using the current federally mandated definition and by also using an alternative definition that requires school and parent involvement in determining symptom presence. Most participants were identified by schools as…

A study investigated the effect of different diagnostic criteria on the identification of emotional or behavioral disorders in 3694 second-grade children. Results indicated the 13 different diagnostic combinations identified from 1.1% to 27.5% of the sample. Four of these combinations resulted in significant ethnic or gender bias. (Author/CR)

This study compared reports of parenting stress between mothers and fathers in 20 sets of parents of children (mean age of 9) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Results showed little difference between maternal and paternal reports of stress. Child behavior, socioeconomic status, and years married contributed more to parenting stress…

Inner-city students (N=506) in grades 4 through 7 were assessed by teachers and students for aggression, popularity, academic competence, "Olympian" characteristics, and affiliation. Findings indicated that members of the same peer social group were similar on multiple behavioral dimensions. High social-network centrality was associated with…

Gender differences in referral for child mental health services were explored through a survey of attitudes among 135 elementary teachers. Teachers were less likely to refer students with good academic performance, and tended to expect girls to transcend internalizing problems through maturation. Externalizing problems were thought to merit…

Concordance between mothers' and teachers' perceptions of behavior problems and competencies of 74 children (mean age 131.6 months) with nonspecific developmental delays was assessed with standardized and study-developed scales. Correlations between raters averaged .43. There were minimal differences in ratings of boys and girls, and few…

In a study of French-speaking adolescents (n=547), five measures designed to examine psychological well being found that body image, self-esteem, and negative stressful life events mediate the relationship between gender and depressive symptoms during adolescence. Further analysis of a subsample who recently transitioned to high school also found…