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Identifying Children at Risk for Emotional and Behavioral Problems: A Diagnostic Classification Model Approach

Yu Bao,Jin Liu,Christine DiStefano,Ruyi Ding

Published 2025 in Psychology in the schools (Print)

ABSTRACT

Behavioral and emotional disorders in childhood can have lasting impacts in areas such as education and future employment, often extending into adulthood. Identifying the potential disorders in children's early grades is beneficial to provide proactive assistance. In this study, we employed a well‐validated scale ‐ the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to investigate the profiles of five‐dimensional behavioral and emotional problems for 639 elementary school children from a southern U.S. state. Using a diagnostic classification model (DCM), we classified children into a set of predetermined profiles that capture the full range of possible behavioral and emotional patterns. The results indicated that the DCM yielded a good model‐data fit and can provide individualized feedback about the children for their teachers specifying which behavioral or emotional area(s) is/are at risk and deserve(s) special attention. We developed a sample student report card with accompanying user guidance. Applying DCM modeling in identifying children at risk for behavioral and emotional problems offers a new alternative to provide targeted support for children in need.

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