Youth Self-Report Scales Research Articles

Self‐reported emotional and behavioral problems in Nepalese adolescents from urban and rural areas

In this study, the prevalence of self-reported emotional/behavioral problems and the association of problem scales scores with demographic factors among 12-18 year old adolescents (n = 408) selected from urban and rural areas of the Western Developmental Region of Nepal, are discussed. The emotional/behavioral problems were assessed by the Youth Self-Report questionnaire. Girls had higher scores than boys for anxiety/depression, while boys had higher scores for delinquent behavior. Adolescents from the urban area exhibited significantly higher scores on most of the problem scales. With the exception of somatic complaints, all problem scale scores appeared to increase with age. Most of the Youth Self-Report scales revealed adequate internal consistencies. These findings might provide preliminary information on adolescents' emotional/behavioral problems. However, a detailed and comprehensive study is needed before an effective interventional program can be implemented. Further investigation, particularly taking into account the views of parents and teachers, is also needed, as this would provide novel perspectives on adolescents' problems.

Sleep and emotional and behavioral symptoms in adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease.

The current study assessed the associations between sleep and psychosocial symptoms in 157 Finnish adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Sleep trouble was self-rated in Sleep Self-Report (SSR) and in Youth Self-Report (YSR). Psychosocial symptoms of the adolescents were assessed by the YSR and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Patients reporting sleep trouble had significantly more psychosocial symptoms than their counterparts without sleep trouble. This was shown in the CBCL and YSR scales of total problems (P < 0.01), anxious/depressed mood (P < 0.05), and aggressive behavior (P < 0.01). Additionally, SSR sleep problem subscale scores indicating lower sleep quality (bedtime, sleep behavior) associated significantly with attention problems (P < 0.05). These results point out that sleep trouble should be recognized and treated in adolescents with IBD to possibly avoid the emerging of psychosocial symptoms.

Improvement of family therapy on the efficacy and social performance of adolescent depression

Objective To investigate the efficacy of family therapy in the treatment of adolescent depression and improvement of social performance. Methods 86 adolescent depressive patients were divided into drug therapy group(group A, n=43) and drug combined with family therapy group(group B, n=43) according to the order of inclusion.They were all treated for 12 weeks.Before and after the treatment, they were all evaluated with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HAMD-24), Personal and Social Performance scale(PSP) and Youth Self-Report scale(YSR). The changes of scores were compared with each other. Results The average scores of HAMD, PSP and YSR in group B before and after treatment was (27.30±4.60) (81.47±1.87)(73.28±1.30) and (15.36±3.60)(12.61±2.10)(9.46±2.80)(6.30±2.20), (82.76±1.09)(84.51±1.32)(86.51±1.32)(92.05±1.72), (71.42±1.45)(69.09±1.33)(67.47±1.47)(64.23±1.90) respectively. The average scores of HAMD, PSP and YSR in group A before and after treatment was (26.90±5.10) (81.45±1.85)(73.26±1.28)and (19.42±2.90)(16.43±2.60)(13.50±3.80)(7.60±2.80), (82.00±1.14)(83.67±1.23)(85.88±1.27)(87.98±1.35), (72.84±1.29)(70.07±1.26)(68.84±1.54)(66.02±1.55) respectively.The difference of the scores after two-week treatment was significant statistically (P<0.05). The difference of the deduction rate of the scores after four-week treatment was significant statistically (P<0.05). Conclusion Family therapy has better and faster efficacy in the treatment of adolescent depression, and it can significantly improve their social performance. Key words: Family therapy; Adolescent depression; Efficacy; Social performance

Screening for abuse and mental health problems among illiterate runaway adolescents in an Indian metropolis

ObjectiveTo evaluate the prevalence of physical and sexual abuse, and their relation to mental health problems among the illiterate/semiliterate runaway adolescents in New Delhi, India.DesignCross sectional.SettingNew Delhi, India.PatientsRunaway adolescent boys...

Social Skills and Psychological Disorders: Converging and Criterion-Related Validity for YSR and IHSA-Del-Prette in Adolescents at Risk

This study evaluated indexes of converging and criterion-related validity for the Social Skills Inventory for Adolescents (IHSA-Del-Prette) and the Youth Self-Report (YSR) in two samples: one referring to clinical service (CLIN), with 28 adolescents (64.3% boys), 11 through 17 years old (M = 13.75; SD = 1.74), and the other referring to a psycho-educational program (PME = 46.2%), mainly composed of boys (91.7%) aged 13 through 17 (M = 15.33; SD = 1.47). Both samples completed the two inventories. Results showed a high incidence of psychological disorders in both samples (between 4% and 79% in the borderline or clinical range on YSR scales) and accentuated deficits in the general and subscale scores of IHSA-Del-Prette, especially on the frequency scale (25% to 58%). The correlations between the instruments in the two groups supported criterion-related and converging validity. Some issues concerning the differences between the samples and about the construct of social competence, underlying these inventories, are discussed.

A latent class analysis of psychiatric symptoms among 125 adolescents in a bariatric surgery program

The purpose of this study was to examine whether subgroups could be identified among a sample of adolescents presenting for bariatric surgery. Participants were 125 severely obese adolescents enrolled in a bariatric surgery program referred for a psychiatric evaluation. A latent class analysis was conducted with self-report and clinician-rated measures of depressive symptoms, total problems by the Youth Self-Report Scale, anxiety severity, eating pathology, psychiatric diagnoses, quality of life, and family functioning. A 3-class model yielded the best overall fit to the data. Adolescents in the ?eating pathology? class demonstrated high levels of both eating disordered and other psychopathology. The second class, or ?low psychopathology? class exhibited the fewest psychosocial problems, whereas adolescents in the third class were intermediate on measures of psychopathology, which is consistent with ?non-specific psychopathology.? The latent class analysis identified homogeneous subgroups with different levels of psychopathology among a heterogeneous sample of severely obese adolescents. The identification of clinically relevant subgroups in this study offers an important initial means for examining psychopathology among adolescent bariatric surgery candidates and suggests a number of avenues for future research. Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB) as a Treatment for Morbid Obesity in Adolescents, NCT01045499.

Patterns of substance use in adolescents attending a mental health department

This study aimed to describe patterns of substance use in adolescents initiating mental health treatment and analyse factors associated with a high-risk pattern of substance use differentially by gender. Two hundred and thirty-seven 12- to 17-year-old new patients in an urban public mental health service were prospectively recruited and evaluated using semi-structured interviews and standardized questionnaires to obtain socio-demographic, psychopathological, family, school and substance use data. The most prevalent primary diagnoses among males were attention deficit disorder and conduct disorder, while among females they were eating disorders, affective and conduct disorders. Substance use disorder was diagnosed as follows: cannabis in 10.1% of the sample, alcohol in 3.4% and other drugs in 0.4%. A pattern of substance use with high risk of developing problems (at least regular use of alcohol or occasional use of cannabis or other illegal drugs) was found in 48.9% of the sample. After adjusting for age in the multivariate logistic regression, this pattern of risky use of drugs was found to be associated with Youth Self-Report scales of thought problems, delinquent and aggressive behaviour, in both genders. Altered family structure, having had to repeat a school grade and Youth Self-Report attention problems were only significantly associated with risky drug consumption in females. The high prevalence of risky and problematic substance use in adolescents entering mental health treatment warrants early systematic screening and specific preventive and therapeutic interventions, addressing mental health psychoeducation and motivation to avoid drugs, as well as differential associated risk factors for males and females.

The Youth Self Report: Applicability and Validity Across Younger and Older Youths

The Youth Self Report (YSR) is a widely used measure of youth emotional and behavioral problems. Although the YSR was designed for youths ages 11 to 18, no studies have systematically evaluated whether youths younger than age 11 can make valid reports on this measure. This study thus examined the reliability and validity of the YSR scales scores for younger (ages 7–10; n = 184) and older (ages 11–14; n = 147) youths. Results demonstrated that younger youths were able to provide reliable reports on the YSR broad band (Internalizing, Externalizing) scales, though less so on the narrow band scales. Across all scales, the externalizing scales performed more favorably than the internalizing scales among both younger and older youth. Younger youths’ DSM-oriented scales corresponded significantly with DSM diagnoses.

Prevalence and Factors Related to Substance Use among Adolescents with Eating Disorders

Objective: Very few studies have assessed substance use in clinical samples of adolescents with eating disorders (ED). This paper reports the prevalence of regular or risky substance use (RRSU) and substance use disorder (SUD) in adolescents with ED. Methods: The Teen-Addiction Severity Index (T-ASI), the Youth Self-Report (YSR) scale and substance use questionnaires were administered to 95 adolescent patients aged 12–17 years who fulfilled the DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and ED not otherwise specified. All patients were consecutively attended at an Eating Disorders Unit. Results: 14.7% presented SUD related to tobacco, 3.2% to cannabis, 1.1% to alcohol, and 1.1% to other substances. Patients with RRSU-SUD of any substance except tobacco were 34.7%. Patients with RRSU-SUD failed more subjects, repeated more school years and had higher scores on T-ASI scales of problems at school, family function and social relationships, and on YSR scales of delinquent behavior and externalizing problems. Conclusions: Substance use problems in ED adolescents are frequent and formal screening of them as well as a specific therapeutic approach are necessary.

Relationship among psychopathological dimensions, coping mechanisms, and glycemic control in a Croatian sample of adolescents with diabetes mellitus type 1

Psychopathological factors associated with metabolic control in juvenile insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) deserve further investigation. This study assessed the relationship among specific psychopathological dimensions, coping mechanisms, and metabolic control in a Croatian clinical sample of adolescents with IDDM. One-hundred and one adolescents (aged 11-18) with IDDM filled out the youth self report (YSR) assessing psychopathological dimension and the scale of coping with stress (SCS). Glycemic control was estimated by the percentage of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Subjects were divided into three groups according to HbA1C values: "optimal", "suboptimal control", and "at high risk". Subjects in optimal glycemic control presented with significantly lower scores in most of YSR scales compared to subjects at high risk. Moreover, they had significantly lower scores in avoidance and emotional reactivity and significantly higher scores in cognitive restructuring and problem solving SCS subscales. Regression models revealed that both internalizing and externalizing YSR scores, as well as emotional reactivity coping scores, independently contributed to explain variability of HbA1C values. Both internalizing and externalizing psychopathological dimensions, as well as emotion-oriented coping strategies, are independently associated with poor metabolic control in both boys and girls with IDDM, thus representing potential interest targets of psychotherapeutic interventions aimed at improving glycemic control in this population.

The Brief Child and Family Phone Interview (BCFPI): 1. Rationale, development, and description of a computerized children’s mental health intake and outcome assessment tool

This study describes the development of the Brief Child and Family Phone Interview (BCFPI) - a computer-assisted telephone interview which adapts the revised Ontario Child Health Study's (OCHS-R) parent, teacher, and youth self-report scales for administration as intake screening and treatment outcome measures in children's mental health services. It focuses on the factor structure of the BCFPI's hypothesized parent-reported child mental health scales describing attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD), separation anxiety disorder (SAD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and major depression (MDD). Data for the analysis come from an OCHS-R measurement study that included two groups of children and adolescents selected from the same urban area: a general population sample (n = 1,712) and a clinic-referred sample (n = 1,512); and a third sample that was enlisted in a province-wide implementation study of clinic-referred 6- to 18-year-olds (n = 56,825). We used confirmatory factor analysis to assess the factor structure of the BCFPI scales in different populations and to test measurement equivalence across selected groups. Despite the strong constraints imposed on the measurement models, estimates of model fit across the three samples were comparable in magnitude and approached the cut-offs suggested for the GFI and CFI (>.9) and RMSEA (<.05). Measurement equivalence was demonstrated between the OCHS-R clinic and provincial implementation samples. Within the implementation sample, the factor structure of the BCFPI scales was equivalent for boys versus girls and for 6- to 12- versus 13- to 18-year-olds. A companion paper examines the test-retest reliability, sensitivity, specificity, and validity of these BCFPI scales when used for screening. This project supports the feasibility and acceptability of a computer-assisted telephone interview for assessing emotional-behavioral problems of children and adolescents referred to children's mental health services.

Convergence Between the Achenbach Youth Self-Report and Structured Diagnostic Interview Diagnoses in ADHD and Non-ADHD Youth

We evaluated the convergence of Achenbach youth self-report (YSR) scales with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and psychiatric comorbidity derived from self-report structured interviews. Subjects were 251 youths older than 12 years assessed with YSR scales and directly obtained structured diagnostic interview. We evaluated the strength of association between each YSR scale and structured-interview derived diagnoses using total predictive value (TPV) and odds ratios (OR). Excellent convergence was found between the YSR attention problems with the structured interview derived diagnosis of ADHD, between the YSR delinquent behavior scale and the diagnosis of conduct disorder, and between the YSR anxiety/depression and withdrawn scales and the diagnosis of major depression, and between the YSR social problems and somatic scales and the diagnosis of anxiety. These findings indicate that the YSR could serve as a rapid and cost-effective diagnostic tool to identify major psychopathology in high-risk adolescents.

Bullying behaviours and psychosocial health: results from a cross-sectional survey among high school students in Istanbul, Turkey

The aim of this study was to investigate bullying behaviours and their associations with health and health risk behaviours. This study involved completion of the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) and Youth Self Report (YSR) questionnaires by 3,519 students. Of the students, 59.4% (n=2,091) were neither bullies/nor victims, 22% (n=774) victims, 9.4% (n=331) bully/victims and 9.2% (n=323) bullies. Generally, students involved in bullying behaviours were more likely to have higher YSR scale scores than students who were not involved in bullying behaviours. Bully/victims had higher scores on the YSR subscales than others. Students involved in bullying behaviours were more likely not to use seat belts, to watch TV >or= 4 h/day, to be involved in a physical fight, to skip class and to spend time with friends than students who were not involved in bullying behaviours. Bully/victims and bullies were more likely to smoke cigarettes, to drink alcohol, to be drunk, to play computer games and to be sexually active than others. Bully/victims were more likely to have less educated mothers and to have difficulty in talking to both parents than others. Victims were more likely to have a lower socioeconomic status, to have difficulty in talking to opposite gender friends and to have difficulty in making new friends than others. Bullying behaviour is common and associated with other risk behaviours and psychological health problems in Istanbul high school students. Health professionals should be aware of the influence of bullying on health and particularly on bully/victims' health. There is a strong need for bullying prevention programmes in schools in Turkey.

Self-Reports on Mental Health Problems of Youth With Moderate to Borderline Intellectual Disabilities

To determine the extent to which the Youth Self-Report (YSR) can be used to assess emotional and behavioral problems in adolescents with intellectual disabilities (IDs). In 2003, 281 11- to 18-year-olds with IDs (IQ > or =48) completed the YSR in an interview, and in 1993, 1,047 non-ID adolescents completed the YSR themselves. Parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). The ID sample was split into lower (IQ 48-69) and higher (IQ > or =70) IQ groups. Cronbach's alpha values of the YSR scales and (intraclass) correlation coefficients between and within YSR and CBCL scale scores were calculated to determine parent-adolescent agreement and YSR construct validity, which were compared between samples. Mean YSR scale scores were compared between adolescents with ID with and without psychiatric symptoms. Cronbach's alpha, parent-adolescent agreement, and indications of construct validity were about similar in all samples, although discriminant validity was somewhat weaker in the lower IQ group. Mean scale scores were 1.5 to 2.0 times higher for ID adolescents with psychiatric symptoms. The YSR seems applicable in youth with an IQ > or =48. Further research is needed to refine and confirm these findings and the factor structure of the YSR in adolescents with ID and to differentiate between adolescents with moderate and mild IDs.

The ability of YSR scales to predict DSM/DISC–C psychiatric disorders among incarcerated male adolescents

To investigate whether the empirical or DSM-oriented scales of the Youth Self-Report (YSR) can be used to screen for DSM psychiatric disorders among incarcerated boys. DSM-oriented scales have recently been developed by Achenbach to enhance comparability of YSR results with DSM diagnostic categories. A representative sample (N = 196) of incarcerated boys aged 12-18 was assessed with the child version of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (DISC-C) to diagnose DSM psychiatric disorders, and with the Youth Self-Report (YSR). Only 22% had YSR total problem scores in the clinical range, whereas 90 % met criteria of at least one DSM/DISC-C psychiatric disorder. Weak associations between both empirical and DSM-oriented YSR scale scores and DSM/DISC-C diagnoses were found. Neither the empirical nor the DSM-oriented YSR scales adequately screen for DSM/DISC-C psychiatric disorders among incarcerated boys. The use of the YSR and the DISC-C to assess DSM constructs results in, at least partially, different diagnostic information.

Predicting anxiety diagnoses with the Youth Self-Report

Empirical studies that assess which items of the Youth Self-Report (YSR) are the best predictors of anxiety disorders in adolescents are lacking, whereas several attempts have been made to construct an anxiety scale for the YSR. It is important to gap the bridge between existing YSR and DSM-IV diagnostic constructs. My objective in this study was to investigate which YSR items or scales can be used best to predict anxiety disorders in adolescents. In a referred 183-subject sample of 11- to 18-year-olds, we examined which YSR items and scales predicted DSM-IV anxiety diagnoses assessed with the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for Children (ADIS-C). Several items that predicted anxiety disorders were not included in existing anxiety scales of the YSR. Scale scores based on these items were stronger predictors of DSM-IV anxiety disorders than existing anxiety scales. Testing empirically which YSR items predict DSM-IV diagnoses may enhance the usefulness of the YSR for predicting anxiety disorders in clinical practice.

Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale–2 (BERS-2) Parent and Youth Rating Scales

We confirmed the factor structure of the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale – 2nd Edition (BERS-2) with a normative parent and youth sample. The BERS-2, based on the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale (BERS), is a standardized instrument that assesses children's emotional and behavioral strengths. The original BERS was renormed to create a separate parent scale (Parent Rating Scale) and a youth self-report scale (Youth Rating Scale). In this study, we investigated whether the five-factor structure of the original BERS (i.e., interpersonal strengths, family involvement, intrapersonal strengths, school functioning, and affective strengths) could be replicated with normative parent and youth respondents. A total of 927 parents of students with and without disabilities and 1301 youth with and without disabilities volunteered to participate in the study. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to determine the extent to which the normative parent and youth data fit the original five-factor BERS structure. Results indicated that the five-factor structure demonstrated an acceptable fit with the normative parent and youth samples. Practical implications and future research ideas are discussed.

The Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale-2 (BERS-2): Providing a Comprehensive Approach to Strength-Based Assessment

Identification of strengths is considered an important part of school psychological practice. However, few instruments are available to school psychologists that allow for systematic and comprehensive evaluation of a student’s emotional and behavioral strengths. School psychologists must be provided with psychometrically sound instruments that will measure students’ emotional and behavioral skills and competencies. The Behavioral and Emotional Ratings Scale (BERS) was developed in response to the need for a valid and reliable instrument for assessing and evaluating strengths, but it became evident that the single instrument was not comprehensive. The BERS has now been restandardized to create two additional scales: a parent rating scale and a youth self-report scale. The Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale-2nd Edition (BERS-2) scales now provide school psychologists with a comprehensive set of standardized instruments to assess children’s emotional and behavioral strengths. The purpose of this article is threefold: (a) to provide a brief overview of strength-based assessment in school psychological practice, (b) to discuss the development of the BERS-2, and (c) to discuss the use of the BERS-2 in school psychological practice.

Validity and structure of a self-report measure of youth psychopathy.

An interest in early identification of youth who may be at risk of psychopathy has generated measures for age-appropriate screening and assessment. This study examines the structural, concurrent, and divergent validity of the Psychopathy Content Scale, a 20-item self-report instrument derived from the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory (MACI). Data for 481 youths who had taken the MACI, the Child Behavior Checklist Youth Self-Report (YSR), and the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument, Second Version (MAYSI-2), were analyzed. Results showed that the PCS is best described by a two-factor model and that analyses of the two factors offer limited support for convergent and divergent validity. High scores on both factors were associated with high YSR and MAYSI-2 scales, suggesting that the measure identified youth who were distressed on several measures of emotional, psychological, and behavioral disorder.

Self-reported competence and emotional and behavioral problems in a sample of Finnish adolescents

The Youth Self-Report (YSR) was completed by 586 15- to 16-year-old Finnish adolescents. The internal consistency of the YSR problem scales ranged from 0.61 to 0.90. Girls reported significantly more internalizing, withdrawn, somatic, anxious-depressive thought and attention problems. The adolescent was defined as having maladjustment if he she had used mental health services or had more severe problems than the peer group according to parent or self-report (11% of the sample). There were significant differences at the 0.001 level on all YSR scales between maladjustment and non-maladjustment groups. In logistic regression analysis anxious-depressive and delinquency scales had the strongest association with maladjustment. The results are compared with results from previous population-based studies using the YSR in Nordic countries.