4.3 Construct Validity of the Schwartz Outcome Scale-10 for Adolescents: Comparisons With the Youth Self-Report (YSR) in an Inpatient Setting

Abstract

The Schwartz Outcome Scale-10 (SOS-10) measures psychological well-being through the use of a 10-item questionnaire. With an administration time of less than 5 minutes, the survey results can be obtained with relative ease, reducing burden on both patients as well as clinical staff. Initial research shows the survey to be well validated in adult populations. In comparison, the Youth Self-Report (YSR) consists of a 112-item survey that assesses behavioral and emotional problems. The YSR has been extensively studied, and is a well-validated measurement commonly used in adolescent populations. The purpose of this study is to further assess the construct validity of the SOS-10 using a sample of adolescent patients. This sample included 62 adolescent patients who were being treated at a large northeast teaching hospital’s adolescent inpatient unit. Patients were consented and completed an admission assessment packet that included the SOS-10 and the YSR upon admission to the unit. The average age of the patients was 15.7 years (SD = 1.1), and 52% were male. Regarding race, 59.2% were White, 31% were African American, 2.8% were Asian, and 7% were listed as “Other.” The primary diagnosis was 65% mood disorders, 30% conduct disorder/ODD, 3% PTSD, and 2% psychosis. The average length of stay for the patients was 10.8 days (SD = 5.22; range 2-32). The SOS-10 was negatively correlated with the YSR’s depressive problems (r = –0.66), anxiety problems (r = –0.42), somatic problems (r = –0.51), sluggish cognitive tempo (r = –0.46), obsessive-compulsive problems (r = –0.53), and stress problems (r = –0.58). These results demonstrate the relationship between a well-validated assessment in the YSR and a more easily implemented SOS-10. Study results enhance current validity research on SOS-10, a promising tool for use in outcome measurement in adolescent psychiatry.