Although not identical, the assessment protocols in the three MCTFR studies overlap extensively. For all three studies, the intake assessment involved a day-long visit to our labs at the University of Minnesota. Assessments common to all three studies include: 1) interview assessment of common child and adult mental and substance use disorders based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IIIR and DSM-IV); 2) quantity and frequency assessment of licit (e.g., tobacco and alcohol) and illicit drug use; 3) self-report assessment of personality; 4) individually-administered Wechsler IQ tests and reading scales from the Wide Range Achievement Test; 5) teacher ratings of behavioral problems, personality, and academic progress and grades; 6) anthropometric measures; and 7) self-report of environmental risk and protective factors including peer group characteristics, family functioning, and socioeconomic status. In addition, the MTFS and ES include a half-day psychophysiological assessment that includes electroencephalography, event related potentials, and autonomic nervous system activity. The SIBS, which does not include a psychophysiological assessment, includes videotaped family and sibling interaction sessions.
