Validity Of Self-reported Data Research Articles

Validation of Self-Reported Cancer Diagnoses by Respondent Cognitive Status in the U.S. Health and RetirementStudy.

Cancer and dementia are becoming increasingly common co-occurring conditions among older adults. Yet, the influence of participant cognitive status on the validity of self-reported data among older adults in population-based cohorts is unknown. We thus compared self-reported cancer diagnoses in the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (HRS) against claims from linked Medicare records to ascertain the validity of self-reported diagnoses by participant cognitive and proxy interview status. Using data from HRS participants aged ≥67 who had at least 90% continuous enrollment in fee-for-service Medicare, we examined the validity of self-reported first incident cancer diagnoses from biennial HRS interviews against diagnostic claim records in linked Medicare data (reference standard) for interviews from 2000 to 2016. Cognitive status was classified as normal, cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND), or dementia using the Langa-Weir method. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, and κ for cancer diagnosis. Of the 8280 included participants, 23.6% had cognitive impairment without dementia (CIND) or dementia, and 10.7% had a proxy respondent due to an impairment. Self-reports of first incident cancer diagnoses for participants with normal cognition had 70.2% sensitivity and 99.8% specificity (κ=0.79). Sensitivity declined substantially with cognitive impairment and proxy response (56.7% for CIND, 53.0% for dementia, 60.0% for proxy respondents), indicating poor validity for study participants with CIND, dementia, or a proxy respondent. Self-reported cancer diagnoses in the U.S. HRS have poor validity for participants with cognitive impairment, dementia, or a proxy respondent. Population-based cancer research among older adults will be strengthened with linkage to Medicare claims.

Validity of self-reported data to assess the prevalence of overweight, hypertension and cholesterol

Abstract Background Accurate data on the risk factors of non-communicable diseases is essential to build evidence-based prevention programs. In Belgium, this is assessed through self-reported (SR) data from the Belgian health interview surveys (BHIS) in a wide population sample or through objective measures from small-scale surveys (such as the Belgian health examination survey [BHES]). It has been shown, however, that relying on SR data leads to a prevalence underestimation. The objective of this study is to assess the agreement between SR and measured overweight, hypertension and high cholesterol and to provide information to do a valid correction for measurement error. Methods The BHIS/BHES 2018 database was used (n = 1184). Kappa coefficient was used to assess the agreement between SR and measured hypertension (systolic BP > 140 mmHg, diastolic BP > 90 mmHg, or reported use of medication for hypertension) and ICC was used to assess the agreement between SR and measured BMI. SR high cholesterol was compared to a measured total serum cholesterol >190 mg/dl. Results Risk factor prevalence based on SR data is severely underestimated. The agreement between SR and measured data is high for BMI (ICC: 0.92), moderate for hypertension (Kappa: 0.49) and poor for cholesterol (Kappa: 0.05). Using SR data, 45% of the people with a measured hypertension and 22% of the people with a measured high cholesterol are detected. With regressions based on the SR risk factor, age, sex and education, the measured BMI and hypertension can be predicted with a good accuracy (BMI: R2: 87%, HBP: AUC: 86%). A lower accuracy is observed for the cholesterol model (AUC: 65%). Using predicted values instead of SR data yields higher estimates of people suffering from overweight (+8% relative increase), obesity (+12%), hypertension (+24%) and cholesterol (+36%). Conclusions Using SR data yields to an underestimation of the prevalence of obesity, hypertension and high cholesterol in Belgium Key messages Relying on SR data to assess the prevalence of overweight, hypertension and high cholesterol requires a correction for measurement error. Using the predicted values from regression models based on the SR risk factor, age, sex and education, yields higher estimates of people suffering from overweight, hypertension and cholesterol.

Indirect questioning methods for sensitive survey questions: Modelling criminal behaviours among a prison population.

Information such as the prevalence and frequency of criminal behaviour is difficult to estimate using standard survey techniques because of the tendency of respondents to withhold or misrepresent information. Social desirability bias is a significant threat to the validity of self-reported data, especially when supplied by persons such as sexual offenders or those convicted of theft or substance abuse. The randomized response approach is an alternative to the standard interview method and offers great potential for researchers in the field of criminal justice. By means of a survey of 792 prison inmates, incorporating both indirect and direct response techniques, we investigate if the prison population also has problems recognizing their participation in criminal acts such as theft, illicit drug use, violence against property, reckless driving and arson. Our research findings suggest that self-reported criminal behaviour among a prison population is affected by social desirability bias and that the behaviour considered is significantly associated with the severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. The results also demonstrate the inadequacy of traditional, yet widely used, direct questioning methods, and the great potential for indirect questioning techniques to advance policy formation and evaluation in the field of criminal behaviour.

Validity of self-reported body mass and height: relation with sex, age, physical activity, and cardiometabolic risk factors.

To evaluate the validity of self-reported body mass and height measurements in adolescents, adults and older adults according to sex, age, leisure-time physical activity level, nutritional status, and cardiometabolic risk factors. The study included 856 subjects, aged 12 years or older, who participated in the São Paulo Health Survey (ISA-2015) and who had their body mass and height measured and self-reported. Based on the Body Mass Index (BMI), a classification of nutritional status was made according to standardized criteria for each phase of life. The validation of self-reported data was examined by the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, Bland-Altman and paired T-Test. Linear regression models were used to estimate the calibration coefficients, and sensitivity and specificity tests were performed. Self-reported body mass and height values tend to be very similar to measured values, with a few exceptions. For the adolescents, an underestimation of height was noted, while for the older adults, an overestimation. There was a consistent underestimation of self-reported body mass among women, and an overestimation of BMI among men who practiced less than 150 minutes of physical activity per week during leisure time. The calibration process of self-reported measures made them more consistent with the values measured, increasing the sensitivity in the classification of nutritional status among women and the specificity among men. Self-reported measures of height, body mass and BMI provided valid and reliable measures, presenting a substantial improvement after calibration.

Validity of Self-Report Data in Hypertension Research: Findings From The Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health.

Several studies indicate little congruence between self-report and biometric data, yet very few have examined the reasons for such differences. This paper contributes to the limited but growing body of literature that tracks inconsistent reports of hypertension using data from the Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE). Focusing on five countries with different levels of development (Ghana, China, India, South Africa, and Russia), this study offers a comparative perspective that is missing in the literature. Data were obtained from wave 1 of SAGE collected in 2007/2008. A multinomial logit model was used to examine the effects of demographic and socioeconomic variables on the likelihood of respondents self-reporting that they are not hypertensive when their biometric data show otherwise. The authors also model the likelihood of respondents self-reporting that they are hypertensive when in fact their biometric data show they are not. Socioeconomic and demographic variables were shown to be significantly associated with inconsistent reporting of hypertension. For instance, it was observed that wealth was associated with a lower likelihood of self-reporting that one is not hypertensive when their biometric data indicate otherwise. Tracking such inconsistent reports is crucial to minimizing measurement errors and generating unbiased and more precise parameter estimates in hypertension research.

Measuring Educational Outcomes for At-Risk Children and Youth: Issues with the Validity of Self-Reported Data

Background Youth programs often rely on self-reported data without clear evidence as to the accuracy of these reports. Although the validity of self-reporting has been confirmed among some high school and college age students, one area that is absent from extant literature is a serious investigation among younger children. Moreover, there is theoretical evidence suggesting limited generalizability in extending findings on older students to younger populations.

Desirability and expectations of the UK MS Register: Views of people with MS

BackgroundInternet-based health registers are increasingly commonly used for health promotion and medical research, yet little is known about what the patient groups who help form the basis of such registers expect from these tools. Mismatches between patient expectations and the register design may limit the long-term utility of such registers. ObjectiveThis study elicited the views of people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) on the desirability and expectations regarding a UK Register for MS. MethodsParticipants were recruited through a range of traditional means (newsletters, adverts, word of mouth), as well as via the Internet, to obtain a broad sample of PwMS. Semi-structured interviews were conducted over the telephone, and the questions asked about: the desirability of the Register; what the participants envisaged the Register actually being used for; and what they hoped the Register could be used for. ResultsThe majority of individuals’ points postulated that a UK MS Register would be useful, but a range of potential concerns were identified by the sample, such as security, accessibility for all PwMS, and the validity of self-report data. Analysis of the responses revealed a difference between what PwMS thought the Register would be used for, and how they wanted it to be used, particularly in relation to a desired social contact, exchange, and networking function. ConclusionsThe security and accessibility of the website, the validity of the data, and mismatches between the expected and actual uses, are all issues of importance in the development of e-health tools, if PwMS are to be successfully engaged over time.

Validity of self-reported genetic counseling and genetic testing use among breast cancer survivors

Despite the value of genetic counseling (GC) and genetic testing (GT) for high-risk breast cancer survivors, little is known about their uptake and validity of self-report data. This study evaluated the accuracy of self-reported genetic counseling and testing rates among breast cancer survivors. The current analysis focused on Stage 0-III female breast cancer survivors who were identified from an academic medical center's cancer registry and responded to a mailed survey (N = 452). Self-reported rates of GC and GT were validated using information from the electronic medical record. Overall, 30.8% of survivors reported having seen a genetic counselor in the time period after their breast cancer diagnosis and 33.6% noted having a genetic test. Concordance and specificity were good for both genetic questions; concordance agreements ranged from 86-88%, while specificity was 83-86%. Sensitivity (97-98%) and negative predictive values (99%) were excellent, while the positive predictive values for both GC and GT were poor (59-63%). Among breast cancer survivors, self-reports of GC and GT were generally accurate, although a subset of respondents overestimated genetic service utilization. Future work should focus on validating GC and GT self-reports in medically underserved populations. Genetic counseling and testing are valuable aspects of survivorship care for high-risk breast cancer survivors; accurate understanding of their use is important for survivors, clinicians, and researchers.

Feasibility, reliability and validity of a questionnaire on healthcare consumption and productivity loss in patients with a psychiatric disorder (TiC-P)

BackgroundPatient self-report allows collecting comprehensive data for the purpose of performing economic evaluations. The aim of the current study was to assess the feasibility, reliability and a part of the construct validity of a commonly applied questionnaire on healthcare utilization and productivity losses in patients with a psychiatric disorder (TiC-P).MethodsData were derived alongside two clinical trials performed in the Netherlands in patients with mental health problems. The response rate, average time of filling out the questionnaire and proportions of missing values were used as indicators of feasibility of the questionnaire. Test-retest analyses were performed including Cohen’s kappa and intra class correlation coefficients to assess reliability of the data. The construct validity was assessed by comparing patient reported data on contacts with psychotherapists and reported data on long-term absence from work with data derived from registries.ResultsThe response rate was 72%. The mean time needed for filling out the first TiC-P was 9.4 minutes. The time needed for filling out the questionnaire was 2.3 minutes less for follow up measurements. Proportions of missing values were limited (< 2.4%) except for medication for which in 10% of the cases costs could not be calculated. Cohen’s kappa was satisfactory to almost perfect for most items related to healthcare consumption and satisfactory for items on absence from work and presenteeism. Comparable results were shown by the ICCs on variables measuring volumes of medical consumption and productivity losses indicating good reliability of the questionnaire.Absolute agreement between patient-reported data and data derived from medical registrations of the psychotherapists was satisfactory. Accepting a margin of +/− seven days, the agreement on reported and registered data on long-term absence from work was satisfactory. The validity of self-reported data using the TiC-P is promising.ConclusionsThe results indicate that the TiC-P is a feasible and reliable instrument for collecting data on medical consumption and productivity losses in patients with mild to moderate mental health problems. Additionally, the construct validity of questions related to contacts with psychotherapist and long-term absence from work was satisfactory.

A population based validation study of self-reported pensions and benefits: the Nord-Trøndelag health study (HUNT)

BackgroundMeasures of disability pensions, sickness certification and long-term health related benefits are often self-reported in epidemiological studies. Few studies have examined these measures, and the validity is yet to be established.We aimed to estimate the validity of self-reported disability pension, rehabilitation benefit and retirement pension and to explore the benefit status and basic characteristics of those not responding to these items.A large health survey (HUNT2) containing self-reported questionnaire data on sickness benefits and pensions was linked to a national registry of pensions and benefits, used as “gold standard” for the analysis. We investigated two main sources of bias in self-reported data; misclassification - due to participants answering questions incorrectly, and systematic missing/selection bias - when participants do not respond to the questions.Sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predicative value, agreement and Cohen’s Kappa were calculated for each benefit. Co-variables were compared between non-responders and responders.ResultsIn the study-population of 40,633, 9.2% reported receiving disability pension, 1.4% rehabilitation benefits and 6.1% retirement pension. According to the registry, the corresponding numbers were 9.0%, 1.7% and 5.4%. Excluding non-responders, specificity, NPV and agreement were above 98% for all benefits. Sensitivity and PPV were lower. When including non-responders as non-receivers, specificity got higher, sensitivity dropped while the other measures changed less.Between 17.7% and 24.1% did not answer the questions on benefits. Non-responders were older and more likely to be female. They reported more anxiety, more depression, a higher number of somatic diagnoses, less physical activity and lower consumption of alcohol (p < 0.001 for all variables). For disability pension and retirement pension, non-responders were less likely to receive benefits than responders (p < 0.001). For each benefit 2.1% or less of non-responders were receivers. False positive responses were more prevalent than false negative responses.ConclusionsThe validity of self-reported data on disability pension, rehabilitation benefits and retirement pension is high – it seems that participants’ responses can be trusted. Compared to responders, non-responders are less likely to be receivers. If necessary, power and validity can be kept high by imputing non-responders as non-receivers.

Validity of self-reported data on pregnancies for childhood cancer survivors: a comparison with data from a nationwide population-based registry

To what degree do records registered in the Netherlands Perinatal Registry (PRN) agree with self-report in a study questionnaire on pregnancy outcomes in childhood cancer survivors (CCSs)? This study suggests that self-reported pregnancy outcomes of CCSs agree well with registry data and that outcomes reported by CCSs agree better with registry data than do those of controls. Many studies have shown that childhood cancer treatment may affect fertility outcomes in female CCSs; however, these conclusions were often based on questionnaire data, and it remains unclear whether self-report agrees well with more objective sources of information. In an nationwide cohort study on fertility (inclusion period January 2008 and April 2011, trial number: NTR2922), 1420 CCSs and 354 sibling controls were invited to complete a questionnaire regarding socio-demographic characteristics and reproductive history. In total, 879 CCSs (62%) and 287 controls (81%) returned the questionnaire. The current validation study compared the agreement between pregnancy outcomes as registered in the PRN and self-reported outcomes in the study questionnaire. A total of 589 pregnancies were reported in CCSs, and 300 pregnancies in sibling controls, of which 524 could be linked to the PRN. A high intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was found for birthweight (BW) (0.94 and 0.87 for CCSs and controls, respectively). The self-reported BWs tended to be higher than reported in the PRN. For gestational age (GA), the ICC was high for CCSs (0.88), but moderate for controls (0.49). CCSs overestimated GA more often than controls. The Kappa values for method of conception and for method of delivery were moderate to good. Multilevel analyses on the mean difference with regard to BW and GA showed no differences associated with time since pregnancy or educational level. Not all pregnancies reported could be linked to the registry data. In addition, the completeness of the PRN could not be assessed precisely, because there is no information on the number of missing records. Finally, for some outcomes there were high proportions of missing values in the PRN registry. Our study suggests that questionnaires are a reliable method of data collection, and that for most variables, self-report agrees well with registry data. This work was supported by the Dutch Cancer Society (grant no. VU 2006-3622) and by Foundation Children Cancer Free. None of the authors report a conflict of interest. NTR2922 http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=2922.

Validity of self-reported use of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine intermittent presumptive treatment during pregnancy (IPTp): a cross-sectional study

BackgroundMalaria in pregnancy is a major health problem that can cause maternal anaemia, stillbirth, spontaneous abortion, low birth weight and intra-uterine stunting. The WHO recommends use of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) for intermittent preventive treatment of malaria during pregnancy (IPTp) in endemic areas. Towards monitoring and assessing IPTp coverage in the population, the Roll Back Malaria Partnership recommends the use of self-reported data. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of self-reported IPTp by testing for sulphadoxine in maternal blood at delivery.MethodsTwo hundred and four pregnant women were consented and enrolled in a cross-sectional study in Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala Uganda. - Participants who reported a history of taking sulpha-containing drugs like co-trimoxazole , those who were not sure of dates relating to last menstrual period or who took IPTp within the first 20 weeks of gestation were excluded from the study. Data on demographic characteristics, obstetric history, and delivery outcome were collected. At birth, maternal venous blood was taken off aseptically and used to make thick blood smears for malaria parasites and plasma for determining sulphadoxine using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).ResultsOf 120 participants who self reported to have used IPTp, 35 (29.2%) tested positive for sulphadoxine by HPLC, while 63 (75%) of 84 patients who reported not having used IPTp tested negative for sulphadoxine. Participants possessing post-primary education were more likely to have reported using IPTp. The low agreement (kappa coefficient = 0.037) between self-report and actual presence of the drug in the blood casts doubt on the validity of self-reported data in estimating IPTp coverage.ConclusionsThe results of this study question the accuracy of self-reported data in estimating IPTp coverage in the population. More studies on validity of self reported data are recommended. Since the validity of IPTp self reports is vital for guiding policy on malaria control in pregnancy, ways should be sought to improve accuracy of the information from such reports.

The Use of the Adult Attachment Scale with Domestically Violent Men

Empirical evidence highlights the utility of examining attachment styles in exploring the etiology of intimate partner violence perpetration, with insecure attachment styles regularly identified as underscoring domestically violent men. This study applied the 18-item self-report Adult Attachment Scale (Collins & Read, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 58(4), 644–663 1990) to 176 men entering a domestic violence perpetration counseling program. Factor analyses failed to result in the three factor model of the AAS. Subsequent item analyses indicated participants’ random and contradictory response style negated the possibility of any coherent factor structure. The results of this study caution investigators on the validity of self-report data with domestically violent men and offers both research and clinical/conceptual implications.

Fifty years of brief intervention effectiveness trials for heavy drinkers

Fifty years of brief intervention effectiveness trials for heavy drinkers

Comparing Sexual Assault Prevalence Estimates Obtained With Direct and Indirect Questioning Techniques

Concerns have been expressed about the validity of self-reported data on sexual assault, as victims might be reluctant to disclose what happened to them. In this study, using an anonymous, web-based survey, a sample of 5,446 undergraduate women were asked about their experiences with physically forced sexual assault using both direct and indirect questioning methods. The prevalence of physically forced sexual assault obtained via indirect questioning was slightly higher than, though not substantially or statistically different from, the estimate obtained via direct questioning. The results suggest that either direct questioning yields reasonably valid estimates of the prevalence of sexual assault or that the item count technique does not produce estimates that are any more valid.

Lifetime body size and reproductive factors: comparisons of data recorded prospectively with self reports in middle age

BackgroundData on lifetime exposures are often self-reported in epidemiologic studies, sometimes many years after the relevant age. Validity of self-reported data is usually inferred from their agreement with measured values, but few studies directly quantify the likely effects of reporting errors in body size and reproductive history variables on estimates of disease-exposure associations.MethodsThe MRC National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD) and the Million Women Study (MWS) are UK population-based prospective cohorts. The NSHD recruited participants at birth in 1946 and has followed them at regular intervals since then, whereas the MWS recruited women in middle age. For 541 women who were participants in both studies, we used statistical measures of association and agreement to compare self-reported MWS data on body size throughout life and reproductive history, obtained in middle age, to NSHD data measured or reported close to the relevant ages. Likely attenuation of estimates of linear disease-exposure associations due to the combined effects of random and systematic errors was quantified using regression dilution ratios (RDRs).ResultsData from the two studies were very strongly correlated for current height, weight and body mass index, and age at menopause (Pearson r = 0.91-0.95), strongly correlated for birth weight, parental heights, current waist and hip circumferences and waist-to-height ratio (r = 0.67-0.80), and moderately correlated for age at menarche and waist-to-hip ratio (r = 0.52-0.57). Self-reported categorical body size and clothes size data for various ages were moderately to strongly associated with anthropometry collected at the relevant times (Spearman correlations 0.51-0.79). Overall agreement between the studies was also good for most quantitative variables, although all exhibited both random and systematic reporting error. RDRs ranged from 0.66 to 0.86 for most variables (slight to moderate attenuation), except weight and body mass index (1.02 and 1.04, respectively; little or no attenuation), and age at menarche, birth weight and waist-to-hip ratio (0.44, 0.59 and 0.50, respectively; substantial attenuation).ConclusionsThis study provides some evidence that self-reported data on certain anthropometric and reproductive factors may be adequate for describing disease-exposure associations in large epidemiological studies, provided that the effects of reporting errors are quantified and the results are interpreted with caution.

Measures of Program Effectiveness Based on Retrospective Pretest Data: Are All Created Equal?

This study analyzed data from four evaluation designs incorporating the retrospective pretest (i.e., thentest), analyzing the effects of self-report pretesting and post-program survey format on a set of self-report measures. Validity of self-report data was assessed by comparing the criterion validity of then ratings to established benchmarks and by including a control condition. This study found that designs incorporating separate posttest and thentest surveys yielded the most comparable levels of criterion validity for then ratings and the least biased measures of program effectiveness. Conversely, designs that incorporated a single post-program survey, with adjacent post and then items, yielded the least comparable levels of criterion validity for then ratings and the most biased measures of program effectiveness. This study also found a slight interaction between the effects of self-report pretesting and post-program survey format. Implications for program evaluation are discussed.

Validation of self-reported data on assisted conception in The Danish National Birth Cohort

An increasing number of children are born after assisted conception and in surveillance programmes information on mode of conception is often achieved via maternal self-report. We assessed the validity of self-reported assisted conception in The Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC), a prospective pregnancy cohort. Here, the term assisted conception refers to IVF, ICSI, ovulation induction and insemination. We compared self-reported assisted conception in the DNBC to corresponding data from Danish national registers; the IVF Register and Danish Drug Prescription Register, providing method of conception in the entire population. In the DNBC, 101,042 women accepted the invitation in early pregnancy from 1996 to 2002. Our final study population comprised 88,151 DNBC women aged 20 years and older who participated in the first DNBC interview with a pregnancy resulting in a live born child. In the DNBC, assisted conception was reported with a sensitivity of 83% and positive predictive value of 88%. Misclassification was largely explained by ambiguous phrasing of the DNBC interview question and interview skip patterns. Women with false negative reporting were more often multipara (P < 0.001) and older (P = 0.027 for IVF/ICSI and P = 0.002 for ovulation induction). The risk ratio (RR) for being born preterm in IVF/ICSI children was lower for children identified via the DNBC, RR 3.61 (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.31-3.94), than the IVF Register, RR 4.36 (95% CI 4.02-4.74). There was a high positive predictive value of self-reported assisted conception in the DNBC, but the structure of the DNBC interview represented a problem and misclassification could introduce bias.

Self-Report of Drinking Compared to Objective Markers of Alcohol Consumption

Background: The validity of self-report data is an area of continuing concern in the substance abuse treatment field. It is uncertain how well self-report of alcohol relapse corresponds with more objective indices. Methods: We compared the self-report of alcohol relapse to collateral reports and biological indices of relapse. Twelve-month post-treatment follow-up data were collected from 94 male and female alcohol dependent veterans and 93 of their respective collateral contacts. Biological indices included breathalyzer data, and the blood enzymes aspartate aminotransferase, y-glutamyltransferase, and alanine aminotransferase. Results: A collapsed factor of the more objective indices of use was moderately associated with self-report. A logistic regression analysis revealed that only collateral reports of use predicted the self-report of alcohol relapse. The specificity of collateral report was 82.4% and the sensitivity was 71.9%. Conclusions: Collateral informants serve an important function in supporting the validity of self-report of abstinence versus relapse.

Validity of the Premorbid Adjustment Scale

The aim of the current study was to test the predictive and concurrent validity of the Premorbid Adjustment Scale (PAS) by comparing it with another similar but more elaborate retrospective measure and with data collected during late adolescence. We compared PAS late adolescence scores (age 16-18 years) of 91 males with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder with data on behavior collected in adolescence, before the first psychotic episode as part of standardized Draft Board screening, and with the same measure readministered during adulthood and modified to collect the same data again retrospectively. The correlation of the PAS social withdrawal and social relations items with the social behavior scale of the Draft Board were .76 and .80, respectively, for the concurrent ratings and .52 and .53, respectively, for the data collected at age 17 years. The correlation of the PAS school achievements and school adjustment items with the functioning in structured environments scale of the Draft Board were .71 and .72, respectively, for the concurrent ratings and .43 and .47, respectively, for the data collected at age 17 years. Our results support the predictive and concurrent validity of the PAS and the validity of self-reported data on premorbid functioning in persons with schizophrenia.