Interpretation of the Personality Inventory for Children-Revised (PIC-R): influence of cognitive impairment

Identification of Special Education Needs With the Personality Inventory for Children (PIC): A Profile-Matching Strategy

In earlier studies we developed a hierarchical classification model for the Personality Inventory for Children (PIC)—a parent-informant questionnaire of child adjustment status–intended for use in school settings. In the present study, we constructed and evaluated a profile-matching classification model that extends the usefulness of the PIC as a screening measure in school assessments. This model allows psychologists to determine the similarity of PIC profiles to the mean profile of children in regular classrooms and to the mean profiles of children who are learning disabled, emotionally-behaviorally disturbed, or mentally impaired. The overall accuracy of the profile-matching model was reasonable, and classification of children's PIC profiles by this model did not differ by race. We also present a case example that illustrates the application of the PIC in a school-related evaluation.

The relationship of the Rorschach Schizophrenia Index to psychotic features in a child psychiatric sample

In this study we investigated the reliability and validity of the Rorschach Schizophrenia Index (SCZI) from Exner's (1978, 1993) Comprehensive System for a sample of 413 child psychiatric inpatients by examining relationships with the Personality Inventory for Children-Revised (PIC-R) and chart diagnoses. Interscorer reliability and internal consistency were acceptable. Multivariate analyses of variance results revealed significantly different PIC-R profiles for those with and without elevated SCZI scores, with significant differences emerging on the PIC-R Psychosis (PSY) scale and 2 cognitive triad scales (Intellectual Screening and Development), which have been reported to be more frequently elevated in PIC-R profiles of children with psychotic disorders. Significant differences were found across SCZI groups for the PSY scale, Reality Distortion scale, reality testing critical items and chart diagnoses of psychotic disorder. Implications for clinical interpretation of the SCZI with children and issues for further research with this population are discussed.

Cognitive impairment in preschoolers: identification using the Personality Inventory for Children-Revised

This study evaluated the clinical validity of the Intellectual Screening, Development, and Achievement scales of the Personality Inventory for Children-Revised (PIC-R), as well as the newly derived PIC-R Factor IV scale, in identifying cognitive impairment in a clinic-referred sample of preschoolers. The clinical validity of these PIC-R subscales was also compared to that of the Minnesota Child Development Inventory (MCDI). The results showed that the PIC-R scales and Factor IV were reasonably successful in identifying cognitively impaired preschoolers, but much less successful in identifying cognitively normal preschoolers. Overall, the MCDI was the most successful in correctly identifying the preschoolers' cognitive status.