Measurement Based Care in Child Welfare-involved Children and Youth: Reliability and Validity of the PSC-18

Publication Date

9-27-2018

Document Type

Article

Organizational Units

Graduate School of Social Work

Keywords

PSC-17, Child welfare, Mental health, Measurement based care, Psychometrics

Abstract

This study evaluates whether the psychometric properties of the Pediatric Symptoms Checklist-17 (PSC-17), a common behavioral health measure typically used as a dichotomous screening tool for mental health needs, support its use as a continuous measure for tracking behavioral health over time. A total of 6492 foster parents of children and youth aged 5.5–17 completed the PSC-17. Convergent and discriminant validity was assessed by comparing raw PSC-17 subscale scores with associated outcomes (e.g. psychiatric diagnoses). Long-term test–retest reliability was assessed over 6 months. Scores on the PSC-17 demonstrated good convergent and divergent validity. PSC-17 subscale scores were most strongly associated with analogous diagnoses. Test–retest reliability was moderate, as expected for a time window of this length. This study provides moderate support for the psychometric qualities of the PSC-17 when used with children and youth in the child welfare system as a continuous measure of psychosocial functioning over time.

Publication Statement

Copyright held by author or publisher. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

This document is currently not available here.

Find in Compass


Share

COinS