MOTHER-ADOLESCENT AGREEMENT ON THE SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSES OF ADOLESCENT DEPRESSION AND CONDUCT DISORDERS

Objective: To determine rates and correlates of mother-adolescent agreement on the symptoms and diagnoses of depression and conduct disorders. Method: The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia in School Age Children was administered to a community sample of 460 adolescents and their mothers. Race, gender, family adaptability and cohesion, and living arrangement were evaluated as predictors of agreement. Results: Mother-adolescent agreement was low (kappa < 0.40) for all diagnoses and symptoms with these exceptions: feeling tired (kappa = 0.40), inattention (kappa = 0.50), vandaliSM (kappa = 0.50), and chronic violation of rules (kappa = 0.72). Cohesion and adaptability were associated with mother-adolescent agreement on the symptoms and diagnosis of depression. This association was not demonstrated as consistently for agreement on the symptoms and diagnosis of conduct disorders. Conclusion: Study findings underscore the necessity of collecting data from both a parent and the adolescent when assessing an adolescent's psychological status.