Icelandic translation and reliability data on the DSM-5 version of the schedule for affective disorders and schizophrenia for school-aged children – present and lifetime version (K-SADS-PL)

Abstract

Background: The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia—Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL) is a semi-structured interview based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), and assesses past and present symptoms in children aged 6–18 years old. It has been translated into more than 20 languages and is widely used in clinical work. The K-SADS-PL has recently been revised by adopting new DSM-5 disorders and modifying probes accordingly. However, research on this revision is critically limited. The objective of this study was to examine the inter-rater reliability of the DSM-5 K-SADS-PL when administered by postgraduate students after receiving thorough training and supervision. Method: The DSM-5 K-SADS-PL was applied in a clinical sample of two outpatient units: The outpatient unit of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Landspítali University Hospital in Reykjavík, Iceland and The Icelandic Anxiety Centre for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults. Results: Fourty-one (80%) consecutive patients aged 6–18 years consented and were included. Cohen’s κ was calculated to estimate inter-rater reliability, with estimates ranging from fair to excellent (κ = 0.57–0.90), with most diagnoses in the excellent range (κ > 0.75). Conclusions: These results indicate that the Icelandic translation of the DSM-5 K-SADS-PL can be reliably administered by postgraduate students.

Keywords:

• Inter-rater reliability
• K-SADS-PL
• paediatric
• clinical sample

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the children and their parents for participating in this study and the clinicians and clinical staff for their valued assistance.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University of Iceland Research Fund. The funding source had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

Notes on contributors

Ólafur Þórðarson

Ólafur Þórðarson, MS, is a psychologist, Reykjavík Municipal Service Centre for Breiðholt, Reykjavík, Iceland.

Friðrik Már Ævarsson

Friðrik Már Ævarsson is a psychologist, Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit, Akureyri Hospital, Akureyri, Iceland.

Sigríður Helgadóttir

Sigríður Helgadóttir, MS, is a psychologist, Department of School and Leisure, Reykjavík, Iceland.

Bertrand Lauth

Bertrand Lauth, MD, PhD, is a child psychiatrist, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavík, Iceland and the Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.

Inga Wessman

Inga Wessman, PhD fellow, is a psychologist, The Icelandic Anxiety Centre for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults, Reykjavík, Iceland.

Steinunn Anna Sigurjónsdóttir

Steinunn Anna Sigurjónsdóttir, MS, is a psychologist, The Icelandic Anxiety Centre for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults, Reykjavík, Iceland.

Orri Smárason

Orri Smárason, MS, is a psychologist, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavík, Iceland.

Harpa Hrönn Harðardóttir

Harpa Hrönn Harðardóttir, MS, is a psychologist, Reykjavik Municipal Service Centres for Laugardalur and Háaleiti, Reykjavík, Iceland.

Gudmundur Skarphedinsson

Gudmundur Skarphedinsson, PhD, is a psychologist and associate professor, Faculty of Psychology, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.