Oppositional Defiant Disorder: prevalence based on parent and teacher ratings of Malaysian primary school children.

BACKGROUND

This study examined the prevalence rate of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) in Malaysian primary school children.

METHODS

In all 934 Malaysian parents and teachers completed ratings of their children using a scale comprising DSM-IV-TR ODD symptoms.

RESULTS

Results showed rates of 3.10%, 3.85%, 7.49% and 0.64% for parent, teacher, parent or teacher ("or-rule"), and parent and teacher ("and-rule") ratings, respectively. When the functional impairment criterion was not considered, the rate reported by parents was higher at 13.28%.

DISCUSSION: The theoretical, diagnostic and cultural implications of the findings are discussed.