Evaluation of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist as a screening tool for the identification of emotional and psychosocial problems

Sandra Regina B Muzzolon,Lúcia Helena C Dos Santos,Mônica Nunes L Cat

doi:10.1590/s0103-05822013000300013

Sandra Regina B Muzzolon, Lúcia Helena C Dos Santos + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0103-05822013000300013

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE To investigate the Brazilian version of Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC) as a screening tool to identify psychosocial and emotional problems in schoolchildren from six to 12 years old. METHODS Diagnostic test conducted in a public school of Curitiba, Paraná (Southern Brazil), to evaluate the PSC accuracy and consistency, considering the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) as the gold standard. Among 415 parents invited for the study, 145 responded to both PSC and CBCL. The results of the two instruments were compared. PSC and CBCL were considered positive if scores ≥28 and >70 respectively. RESULTS Among the 145 cases, 49 (33.8%) were positive for both PSC and CBCL. The ROC curve showed the PSC score of 21 as the best cutoff point for screening psychosocial and emotional problems, with a sensitivity of 96.8% and a specificity of 86.7%. Regarding the reference cutoff (score ≥28 points), the sensitivity was 64.5% and the specificity, 100.0%, similar to those found in the original version of the tool. CONCLUSIONS The Portuguese version of PSC was effective for early identification of emotional and/or psychosocial problems in a schoolchildren group and may be useful for pediatricians.

Highlights

The identification of psychosocial and emotional problems should be part of pediatric practice
The Portuguese version of Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC) was effective for early identification of emotional and/or psychosocial problems in a schoolchildren group and may be useful for pediatricians
The present study evaluated the accuracy of the Brazilian version of the PSC – Pediatric Symptom Checklist – as a screening instrument for emotional and psychosocial problems in a population of schoolchildren aged from 6 to 12 years, comparing the results with those obtained by the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)

Summary

Introduction

The identification of psychosocial and emotional problems should be part of pediatric practice. Studies have documented the increased prevalence of mental disorders (MD) in children and adolescents. In the United States, epidemiological studies indicate a prevalence of 17 to 27% of some type of MD in this age range[1,2]. In Taubaté, state of São Paulo, a study with the same group found a prevalence of 12.5% individuals with at least one MD, and, in poor urban areas, where there are sociocultural risk factors, the rate was 13.7%(3). The recognition, intervention, and preventive care of mental disorders in children and adolescents help define and reduce the effects on personality, not yet fully formed, contributing to a healthy development. The lack of early recognition, the persistence and worsening of symptoms in the later stages of development can cause damage to the child’s daily life and to the family and the society

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Conclusion