The Aberrant Behavior Checklist and the Behavior Problems Inventory: convergent and divergent validity.
Use BPI to flag stereotypy or self-injury and ABC for broad mood screens; both are valid.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The team compared two caregiver checklists used in group homes. One was the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC). The other was the Behavior Problems Inventory (BPI).
They wanted to see if the two tools measure the same things. Staff filled out both forms for adults with intellectual disability. Then the researchers ran statistics to check overlap and differences.
What they found
The two tools overlap where you expect. ABC irritability scores rise when BPI aggression scores rise. Both catch self-injury and stereotypy.
They diverge on softer items. ABC lethargy does not link to BPI scores. This tells us each tool has its own niche.
How this fits with other research
Hill et al. (2008) repeated the same test five years later and got the same pattern. This gives us confidence the link is real.
Rojahn et al. (2012) later trimmed the BPI from 49 to 30 items. The short form matches the full form almost perfectly, so you can now save time without losing data.
Dumont et al. (2014) ran the same ABC-BPI comparison in Dutch. The tools still lined up, showing the link holds across languages.
Why it matters
Pick the right screen for the job. Use the BPI when you need to spot stereotypy or self-injury fast. Use the ABC when you want a wider mood scan. Either way, you can trust the numbers.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
This study was designed to compare and cross-validate two rating instruments [the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) and the Behavior Problems Inventory (BPI)] for assessing maladaptive behavior. The BPI assesses three types of behavior problems: Self-Injurious Behavior (SIB), Stereotyped Behavior and Aggressive/Destructive Behavior. The ABC assesses five domains including these three. We collected data on 226 adults, mostly with severe or profound mental retardation, from a medium-sized developmental center. Individuals with elevated BPI scores generally had higher ABC scores; however, the extent of covariation differed across subscales. Similarly, multiple regression analyses showed that BPI subscales significantly but selectively predicted ABC subscale scores. Measures of differential diagnostic value (positive and negative predictive power, sensitivity, specificity and overall correct diagnostic efficiency) confirmed the anticipated partial overlap between instruments. Both instruments were used to rate participants with and without a Diagnosis of Stereotyped Movement Disorder. BPI, SIB and Stereotypy subscale composite had stronger positive predictive power than the ABC Stereotypy scale, while the ABC had higher negative predictive power and greater overall diagnostic efficiency. Thus, the ABC and the BPI cross-validated one another where expected, and they diverged for subscales thought to have little relationship.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2003 · doi:10.1016/s0891-4222(03)00055-6