Validity of the pediatric inpatient behavior scale in an inpatient psychiatric setting.

Standardized assessment of children's behavior during psychiatric hospitalization is increasingly important for evaluation, chart documentation, treatment planning, and outcome monitoring, yet little research has been done to validate the use of behavior checklists developed specifically to assess in-hospital behavior. The Pediatric Inpatient Behavior Scale (PIBS) was evaluated for its validity as a measure of behavior of children hospitalized on a psychiatric unit. Nurses completed the PIBS for 41 children, based on behavior observed during the first week of hospitalization. DSM-IV diagnoses and major symptoms were coded based on chart review, and children completed self-report measures of depression and anxiety. The Pediatric Inpatient Behavior Scale subscale scores were related significantly to diagnosis, as well as to major symptoms, correctly classifying 75 to 85% of cases. The Pediatric Inpatient Behavior Scale subscale scores also significantly correlated with self-reported symptoms of depression, but not symptoms of state anxiety. Results support the use of the PIBS as a behavioral instrument for hospitalized children with severe psychopathology. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.