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The Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC) is a 35-item screening questionnaire designed to identify children with difficulties in psychosocial functioning. It primarily measures inner distress and mood, interpersonal relations and behavior, and attention. The first version of the checklist was a modification of the Washington Symptom Checklist developed by Weinberger and Gregory in 1968.^[1] The PSC is a parent-report assessment designed for use in outpatient pediatric practices. It is not a diagnostic tool — a positive result indicates that the child in question requires further evaluation.^[2]

Development and Structure

The PSC was designed because none of the available instruments offered the “optimal combination of efficiency, ease of administration, and screening accuracy” (p.451). ^[3] The first draft was a shortened and revised form of the Washington Symptom Checklist (WSCL) designed by Weinburger and Gregory. The researchers shortened the WSCL from 67 to 27 questions and removed open-ended questions. They also revised questions to address the five major areas they wanted to examine: mood, play, school, friends, and family relations.^[1] The PSC was further revised based on “the symptoms of the major diagnoses for children listed in the American Psychiatric Association DSM-III, the clinical impressions of several pediatricians, psychologists, and child psychiatrists, and a review of items from other questionnaires reported to be the most useful in identifying children with emotional problems” (p. 372). ^[4]

The current PSC contains 35 statements focused on the child’s day-to-day behavior and mood. ^[2] Parents are asked to indicate how frequently each of the statements, referred to as symptoms, describes the child; response options include "never", "sometimes", and “often”. Examples of statements include “feels he or she is bad,” “teases others,” and “is distracted easily.” The questionnaire takes 3-5 minutes to complete. ^[4] The original study of the PSC focused on children between 6 and 12 years old, but the checklist has been studied and validated in all age groups between 4 and 16 years. ^[5] ^[6] ^[7]

Scoring and interpretation

The PSC is scored by assigning point values to the ratings: 2 = “often”, 1 = “sometimes”, and 0 = “never”. The points are summed for a total score, with possible scores ranging from 0 to 70.^[8] An overall score above the cutoff point, sometimes referred to as a positive score, indicates need for further assessment. The cutoff score for children older than 6 years old is 28.^[4] For children younger than 6 years old, four items that pertain to school are excluded. As a result, the range of scores is lower and the cutoff score is lowered to 24. ^[8]

If a child obtains a score above the cutoff, the pediatrician would review the questionnaire, explore any apparent problem areas, determine the severity of dysfunction, and then decide on what type of follow-up is appropriate: no follow-up needed, treatment already being received, follow-up by pediatrician, or referral to a mental health professional.^[4]

Versions

There are four versions of the PSC, including a full-length parent-report form (PSC), a full-length youth self-report form (Y-PSC), a shortened parent-report form (PSC-17), and a shortened youth self-report form (Y-PSC-17).

Y-PSC

The Y-PSC was designed to screen adolescents for psychosocial problems in school settings. It was adapted from the PSC by changing relevant pronouns and verbs. For instance, the statement “takes things that do not belong to him or her” was changed to “take things that do not belong to you” and the statement “worries a lot” was changed to “worry a lot”. The recommended cutoff score is 30 and it has the same number of items as the PSC. As a self-report measure, it is useful for identifying symptoms of internalizing disorders, such as anxiety or depression, which are often missed by parents. ^[9]

PSC-17

The PSC-17 is a shortened, 17-item version of the PSC. It also includes three sub-scales which were designed to screen for distinct domains of psychosocial problems — internalizing, externalizing, and attention — and provide physicians with more information about directions for further evaluation. The subscales were also intended to increase the sensitivity of the screen because only using a total score might miss children with dysfunction in only one domain. Internalizing problems involve inner distress and mood and questions about these problems include the statements “feels hopeless” and “is down on him or herself.” Externalizing problems typically involve maladaptive behaviors and conflicts with others; questions about externalizing problems include the statements “fights with other children” and “teases others.” Questions about attention problems include the statements “fidgety, unable to sit still” and “distracted easily.” Parents respond to statements with ratings on the same scale as the PSC: often, sometimes, or never .

Parents ratings are converted to a total score and sub-scale scores. The cut-offs for the total score, internalizing problems scale, externalizing problems scale, and attention problems scale are 15, 5, 7, and 7, respectively. As on the PSC, a score above the cutoff is not diagnostic; it indicates only that further evaluation is needed.^[10]

Y-PSC-17

The Y-PSC-17 was adapted from the PSC-17 for self-report by adolescents. It has not yet been validated. ^[11]

Psychometrics

Reliability

Test-Retest

Studies of the PSC have consistently found moderate to high test-retest reliability. An early study of the PSC compared scores one week apart and found Pearson’s r = 0.86.^[4] The original study of the Y-PSC retested participants four months after the original test and found r = 0.45. ^[9] PSC scores were examined over a longer period of time, 10 to 18 months, in a more recent study which found that scores for patients who originally scored negative, below the cutoff, were stable over time and the scores of patients who originally scored positive, above the cutoff, and were referred to mental health services tended to decrease, or improve.^[12]

Internal Consistency

Internal consistency has routinely been high in studies of the PSC and its various forms, formats, and languages. The original study of the PSC found alpha = 0.86 indicating that the PSC had a fairly high degree of internal consistency. ^[4] One of the original studies of the PSC-17 measured internal consistency of the full scale and each of its subscales and found alpha values for each between 0.79 and 0.89. ^[10] A study using the English, Spanish, oral, and written formats of the PSC found alpha = 0.91-0.92 for all formats.^[13] A study done with the Dutch PSC found alpha = 0.89, one done with the German PSC found alpha = 0.86, for the Korean PSC alpha = 0.95. ^[14] ^[15] ^[16]

Validity

Concurrent

The PSC has consistently shown moderate to strong correlations with other validated measures of similar constructs, demonstrating concurrent validity. The original study compared checklist scores to ratings derived from a psychiatric interview and found r = 0.85. ^[1] An early study of the PSC compared it with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) developed by Achenbach and found kappa = 0.76 indicating a high level of agreement. ^[4] The original study of the PSC-17 compared its subscales to other validated parent report instruments and found good agreement. The internalizing subscale was compared to the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED), the externalizing subscale was compared to the aggression subscale of the Iowa Connors Rating Scale, and the the attention subscale was compared to the inattention—overactivity subscale of the Iowa Connors Rating scale. ^[10] A study comparing the PSC-17 total score to the CBCL found r = 0.72.^[17]

Predictive

Demonstrating predictive validity, a positive score on the Y-PSC was correlated with specific psychosocial problem areas including getting into trouble, health problems, and problems getting along with parents and peers in a study of adolescents. Students with positive scores on the Y-PSC were also more likely to have poor grades and have higher absentee and tardy rates. ^[18]

Impact

Psychosocial dysfunction is a common condition of children and adolescents and the risk for impairment seems to be higher for at risk groups such as minority or low-income families. Routine use of screening instruments, like the PSC, in primary care is a means of improving recognition and management of dysfunction. ^[5] To further increase detection of psychosocial problems, the PSC can be used during acute care visits; only using the PSC during routine, health check-ups may miss opportunities to recognize dysfunction and refer patients to further mental health assessment and care.^[19] Studies have shown that referral to mental health services can lead to improved academic performance and that recognizing and managing psychosocial problems is “one of the best ways to prevent delinquency, violence, and other high-risk behaviors.” ^[18] ^[19] The PSC can also be used to track outcomes of treatment as successful interventions have been found to reduce scores over time. ^[20] ^[12]

Studies have also found that the PSC is useful as a screening measure to meet federal Medicaid/Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) requirements for children ages 4 -16. ^[8]Pagano, M.; Murphy, J. M.; Pedersen, M.; Mosbacher, D.; CristWhitzel, J.; Jordan, P.; Jellinek, M. S. (1996). "Screening for psychosocial problems in 4-5-year-olds during routine EPSDT examinations: Validity and reliability in a Mexican-American sample". Clinical Pediatrics. 35 (3): 139–146. doi:10.1177/000992289603500305.</ref> ^[13]

Use in other populations

The PSC has been translated into 19 other languages including Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, and Japanese. A pictorial version of the PSC has also been developed. The Y-PSC, PSC-17, and Y-PSC-17 have been translated into 5, 3, and 1 other language, respectively.^[21]

The Spanish PSC, along with the English PSC, in both oral and written formats was used in a study with Mexican-American pre-school children, aged 4-5. All forms were found to be valid and reliable. ^[8] However, when the age range was expanded to 4-16 years in a later study, the cut-off score had to be lowered to 12 to optimize sensitivity. ^[22] A study done with the Dutch PSC found it to have good internal consistency and validity. Dutch children’s mean PSC scores, as well as scores on other symptom checklists, were lower than those of American children indicating differences in levels of symptoms reported by parents based on country. A lower cut-off score of 22 had to be adopted to reach a similar level of sensitivity and specificity to the US version ^[14]. The German translation of the PSC was used in a study of Austrian preschool children and found to be valid and reliable. The mean PSC scores were low; a lower cut-off score of 15.5 was adopted to optimize sensitivity and specificity. ^[15] A study of the Korean PSC found it to have good reliability and validity. The cut-off score was lowered to 14 to achieve optimal sensitivity and specificity. ^[16]

Studies have examined the use of the PSC and PSC-17 in urban or inner-city populations. The PSC was found to be valid and reliable for children in these areas.^[23] The study of the PSC-17 found that the sub-scales, particularly the externalizing and attention sub-scales, may not be valid measures in urban populations.^[24]

Limitations

PSC and PSC-17

The PSC and PSC-17, as parent-report measures, have some limitations: parents may not recognize or acknowledge their children’s problems, especially if they have weak parent-child connections, and may under- or over-report their symptoms. ^[10]

Studies of different translations of the PSC in different countries have found that the recommended cut-off score is not always optimal for detection of children with impairments. Having to recalculate the cut-off for each new language or population could make it difficult to use. ^[15]

Y-PSC

As a self-report measure for children and adolescents, the Y-PSC is subject to some limitations: respondents may misunderstand questions, especially those with learning or attentional problems, and children may under- or over-report their symptoms. ^[9]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Jellinek, M.; Evans, N.; Knight, R. B. (1979). "Use of a behavior checklist on a pediatric inpatient unit". The Journal of Pediatrics. 94 (1): 156–158. doi:10.1016/S0022-3476(79)80386-8.
^ ^a ^b Jellinek, M. S.; Murphy, J. M.; Robinson, J.; Feins, A.; Lamb, S.; Fenton, T. (1988). "Pediatric symptom checklist: Screening school-age children for psychosocial dysfunction". Journal of Pediatrics. 112 (2): 201–209. doi:10.1016/S0022-3476(88)80056-8.
^ Murphy, J. M.; Jellinek, M. S. (1988). "Screening for psychosocial dysfunction in economically disadvantaged and minority-group children: Further validation of the pediatric symptom checklist". American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. 58 (3): 450–456. doi:10.1111/j.1939-0025.1988.tb01605.x.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Jellinek, M. S.; Murphy, J. M.; Burn, B. J. (1986). "Brief psychosocial screening in outpatient pediatric practice". The Journal of Pediatrics. 109 (2): 371–378. doi:10.1016/S0022-3476(86)80408-5.
^ ^a ^b Jellinek, M. S.; Murphy, J. M.; Little, M.; Pagano, M. E.; Comer, D. M.; Kelleher, K. J. (1999). "Use of the pediatric symptom checklist to screen for psychosocial problems in pediatric primary care: A national feasibility study". Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. 153 (3). doi:10.1001/archpedi.153.3.254.
^ Little, M.; Murphy, J. M.; Jellinek, M. S.; Birshop, S. J.; Arnett, H. L. (1994). "Screening 4- and 5-year-old children for psychosocial dysfunction: A preliminary study with the pediatric symptom checklist". Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. 15 (3): 191–197. doi:10.1097/00004703-199406000-00007.
^ Murphy, J. M.; Arnett, H. L.; Bishop, S. J.; Jellinek, M. S.; Reede, J. Y. (1992). "Screening for psychosocial dysfunction in pediatric practice: A naturalistic study of the pediatric symptom checklist". Clinical Pediatrics. 31 (11): 660–667. doi:10.1177/000992289203101104.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Pagano, M.; Murphy, J. M.; Pedersen, M.; Mosbacher, D.; Crist-Whitzel, J.; Jordan, P.; Rodas, C.; Jellinek, M. S. (1996). "Screening for psychosocial problems in 4-5-year-olds during routine EPSDT examinations: Validity and reliability in a Mexican-American sample". Clinical Pediatrics. 35 (3): 139–146. doi:10.1177/000992289603500305.
^ ^a ^b ^c Pagano, M. E.; Cassidy, L. J.; Little, M.; Murphy, J. M.; Jellinek, M. S. (2000). "Identifying psychosocial dysfunction in school-age children: The pediatric symptom checklist as a self-report measure". Psychology in the Schools. 37 (2): 91–106. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1520-6807(200003)37:2<91::AID-PITS1>3.0.CO;2-3.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Gardner, W.; Murphy, M.; Childs, G.; Kelleher, K.; Pagano, M.; Jellinek, M.; McInerny, T. K.; Wasserman, R. C.; Nutting, P.; Chiappetta, L. (1999). "The PSC-17: A brief pediatric symptom checklist with psychosocial problem subscales. A report from PROS and ASPN". Ambulatory Child Health. 5 (3): 225–236.
^ Duke, N.; Ireland, A.; Borowsky, I. W. (2005). "Identifying psychosocial problems among youth: Factors associated with youth agreement on a positive parent-completed PSC-17". Child: Care, Health and Development. 31 (5): 563–573. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2214.2005.00551.x.
^ ^a ^b Hacker, K. A.; Williams, S.; Myagmarjay, E.; Cabral, H.; Murphy, M. (2009). "Persistence and change in pediatric symptom checklist scores over 10 to 18 months". Academic Pediatrics. 9 (4): 270–277. doi:10.1016/j.acap.2009.03.004.
^ ^a ^b Murphy, J. M.; Ichinose, C.; Hicks, R. C.; Kingdon, D.; Crist-Whitzel, J.; Jordan, P.; Feldman, G.; Jellinek, M. S. (1996). "Utility of the pediatric symptom checklist as a psychosocial screen to meet the federal early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment (EPSDT) standards: A pilot study". Journal of Pediatrics. 129 (6): 864–869. doi:10.1016/S0022-3476(96)70030-6.
^ ^a ^b Reijneveld, S. A.; Vogels, A. G. C.; Hoekstra, F.; Crone, M. R. (2006). "Use of the pediatric symptom checklist for the detection of psychosocial problems in preventive child healthcare". BMC Public Health. 6. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-6-197.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)
^ ^a ^b ^c Thun-Hohenstein, L.; Herzog, S. (2008). "The predictive value of the pediatric symptom checklist in 5-year-old Austrian children". European Journal of Pediatrics. 167 (3): 323–329. doi:10.1007/s00431-007-0494-z.
^ ^a ^b Han, D. H.; Woo, J.; Jeong, J. H.; Hwang, S.; Chung, U. S. (2015). "The Korean version of the pediatric symptom checklist: Psychometric properties in Korean school-aged children". Journal of Korean Medical Science. 30 (8): 1167–1174. doi:10.3346/jkms.2015.30.8.1167.
^ Gardner, W.; Lucas, A.; Kolko, D. J.; Campo, J. V. (2007). "Comparison of the PSC-17 and alternative mental health screens in an at-risk primary care sample". Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 46 (5): 611–618. doi:10.1097/chi.0b013e318032384b.
^ ^a ^b Gall, G.; Pagano, M. E.; Desmond, M. S.; Perrin, J. M.; Murphy, J. M. (2000). "Utility of psychosocial screening at a school-based health center". Journal of School Health. 70 (7): 292–298. doi:10.1111/j.1746-1561.2000.tb07254.x.
^ ^a ^b Borowsky, I. W.; Mozayeny, W.; Ireland, M. (2003). "Brief psychosocial screening at health supervision and acute care visits". Pediatrics. 112 (1): 129–133. doi:10.1542/peds.112.1.129.
^ Kamin, H. S.; Mccarthy, A. E.; Abel, M. R.; Jellinek, M. S.; Baer, L.; Murphy, J. M. (2015). "Using a brief parent-report measure to track outcomes for children and teens with internalizing disorders". Child Psychiatry and Human Development. 46 (6): 851–862. doi:10.1007/s10578-014-0525-8.
^ "Pediatric Symptom Checklist". Massachusetts General Hospital: Psychiatry.
^ Jutte, D. P.; Burgos, A.; Mendoza, F.; Ford, C. B.; Huffman, L. C. (2003). "Use of the pediatric symptom checklist in a low-income, Mexican American population". Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. 157 (12): 1169–1176. doi:10.1001/archpedi.157.12.1169.
^ Murphy, J. M.; Reede, J.; Jellinek, M. S.; Bishop, S. J. (1992). "Screening for psychosocial dysfunction in inner-city children: Further validation of the pediatric symptom checklist". Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 31 (6): 1105–1111. doi:10.1097/00004583-199211000-00019.
^ Kostanecka, A.; Power, T.; Clarke, A.; Watkins, M.; Hausman, C. L.; Blum, N. J. (2008). "Behavioral health screening in urban primary care settings: Construct validity of the PSC-17". Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. 29 (2): 124–128. doi:10.1097/DBP.0b013e31816a0d9e.

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[Jellinek_1979-1] Jellinek, M.; Evans, N.; Knight, R. B. (1979). "Use of a behavior checklist on a pediatric inpatient unit". The Journal of Pediatrics. 94 (1): 156–158. doi:10.1016/S0022-3476(79)80386-8.

[Jellinek_1988-2] Jellinek, M. S.; Murphy, J. M.; Robinson, J.; Feins, A.; Lamb, S.; Fenton, T. (1988). "Pediatric symptom checklist: Screening school-age children for psychosocial dysfunction". Journal of Pediatrics. 112 (2): 201–209. doi:10.1016/S0022-3476(88)80056-8.

[Murphy_1988-3] Murphy, J. M.; Jellinek, M. S. (1988). "Screening for psychosocial dysfunction in economically disadvantaged and minority-group children: Further validation of the pediatric symptom checklist". American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. 58 (3): 450–456. doi:10.1111/j.1939-0025.1988.tb01605.x.

[Jellinek_1986-4] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Jellinek, M. S.; Murphy, J. M.; Burn, B. J. (1986). "Brief psychosocial screening in outpatient pediatric practice". The Journal of Pediatrics. 109 (2): 371–378. doi:10.1016/S0022-3476(86)80408-5.

[Jellinek_1999-5] Jellinek, M. S.; Murphy, J. M.; Little, M.; Pagano, M. E.; Comer, D. M.; Kelleher, K. J. (1999). "Use of the pediatric symptom checklist to screen for psychosocial problems in pediatric primary care: A national feasibility study". Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. 153 (3). doi:10.1001/archpedi.153.3.254.

[Little_1994-6] Little, M.; Murphy, J. M.; Jellinek, M. S.; Birshop, S. J.; Arnett, H. L. (1994). "Screening 4- and 5-year-old children for psychosocial dysfunction: A preliminary study with the pediatric symptom checklist". Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. 15 (3): 191–197. doi:10.1097/00004703-199406000-00007.

[Murphy_and_Arnett_1992-7] Murphy, J. M.; Arnett, H. L.; Bishop, S. J.; Jellinek, M. S.; Reede, J. Y. (1992). "Screening for psychosocial dysfunction in pediatric practice: A naturalistic study of the pediatric symptom checklist". Clinical Pediatrics. 31 (11): 660–667. doi:10.1177/000992289203101104.

[Pagano_1996-8] Pagano, M.; Murphy, J. M.; Pedersen, M.; Mosbacher, D.; Crist-Whitzel, J.; Jordan, P.; Rodas, C.; Jellinek, M. S. (1996). "Screening for psychosocial problems in 4-5-year-olds during routine EPSDT examinations: Validity and reliability in a Mexican-American sample". Clinical Pediatrics. 35 (3): 139–146. doi:10.1177/000992289603500305.

[Pagano_2000-9] Pagano, M. E.; Cassidy, L. J.; Little, M.; Murphy, J. M.; Jellinek, M. S. (2000). "Identifying psychosocial dysfunction in school-age children: The pediatric symptom checklist as a self-report measure". Psychology in the Schools. 37 (2): 91–106. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1520-6807(200003)37:2<91::AID-PITS1>3.0.CO;2-3.

[Gardner_1999-10] Gardner, W.; Murphy, M.; Childs, G.; Kelleher, K.; Pagano, M.; Jellinek, M.; McInerny, T. K.; Wasserman, R. C.; Nutting, P.; Chiappetta, L. (1999). "The PSC-17: A brief pediatric symptom checklist with psychosocial problem subscales. A report from PROS and ASPN". Ambulatory Child Health. 5 (3): 225–236.

[Duke_2005-11] Duke, N.; Ireland, A.; Borowsky, I. W. (2005). "Identifying psychosocial problems among youth: Factors associated with youth agreement on a positive parent-completed PSC-17". Child: Care, Health and Development. 31 (5): 563–573. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2214.2005.00551.x.

[Hacker_2009-12] Hacker, K. A.; Williams, S.; Myagmarjay, E.; Cabral, H.; Murphy, M. (2009). "Persistence and change in pediatric symptom checklist scores over 10 to 18 months". Academic Pediatrics. 9 (4): 270–277. doi:10.1016/j.acap.2009.03.004.

[Murphy_1996-13] Murphy, J. M.; Ichinose, C.; Hicks, R. C.; Kingdon, D.; Crist-Whitzel, J.; Jordan, P.; Feldman, G.; Jellinek, M. S. (1996). "Utility of the pediatric symptom checklist as a psychosocial screen to meet the federal early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment (EPSDT) standards: A pilot study". Journal of Pediatrics. 129 (6): 864–869. doi:10.1016/S0022-3476(96)70030-6.

[Reijneveld_2006-14] Reijneveld, S. A.; Vogels, A. G. C.; Hoekstra, F.; Crone, M. R. (2006). "Use of the pediatric symptom checklist for the detection of psychosocial problems in preventive child healthcare". BMC Public Health. 6. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-6-197.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)

[Thun-Hohenstein_2008-15] Thun-Hohenstein, L.; Herzog, S. (2008). "The predictive value of the pediatric symptom checklist in 5-year-old Austrian children". European Journal of Pediatrics. 167 (3): 323–329. doi:10.1007/s00431-007-0494-z.

[Han_2015-16] Han, D. H.; Woo, J.; Jeong, J. H.; Hwang, S.; Chung, U. S. (2015). "The Korean version of the pediatric symptom checklist: Psychometric properties in Korean school-aged children". Journal of Korean Medical Science. 30 (8): 1167–1174. doi:10.3346/jkms.2015.30.8.1167.

[Gardner_2007-17] Gardner, W.; Lucas, A.; Kolko, D. J.; Campo, J. V. (2007). "Comparison of the PSC-17 and alternative mental health screens in an at-risk primary care sample". Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 46 (5): 611–618. doi:10.1097/chi.0b013e318032384b.

[Gall_2000-18] Gall, G.; Pagano, M. E.; Desmond, M. S.; Perrin, J. M.; Murphy, J. M. (2000). "Utility of psychosocial screening at a school-based health center". Journal of School Health. 70 (7): 292–298. doi:10.1111/j.1746-1561.2000.tb07254.x.

[Borowsky_2003-19] Borowsky, I. W.; Mozayeny, W.; Ireland, M. (2003). "Brief psychosocial screening at health supervision and acute care visits". Pediatrics. 112 (1): 129–133. doi:10.1542/peds.112.1.129.

[Kamin_2015-20] Kamin, H. S.; Mccarthy, A. E.; Abel, M. R.; Jellinek, M. S.; Baer, L.; Murphy, J. M. (2015). "Using a brief parent-report measure to track outcomes for children and teens with internalizing disorders". Child Psychiatry and Human Development. 46 (6): 851–862. doi:10.1007/s10578-014-0525-8.

[MGH-21] "Pediatric Symptom Checklist". Massachusetts General Hospital: Psychiatry.

[Jutte_2003-22] Jutte, D. P.; Burgos, A.; Mendoza, F.; Ford, C. B.; Huffman, L. C. (2003). "Use of the pediatric symptom checklist in a low-income, Mexican American population". Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. 157 (12): 1169–1176. doi:10.1001/archpedi.157.12.1169.

[Murphy_and_Reede_1992-23] Murphy, J. M.; Reede, J.; Jellinek, M. S.; Bishop, S. J. (1992). "Screening for psychosocial dysfunction in inner-city children: Further validation of the pediatric symptom checklist". Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 31 (6): 1105–1111. doi:10.1097/00004583-199211000-00019.

[Kostanecka_2008-24] Kostanecka, A.; Power, T.; Clarke, A.; Watkins, M.; Hausman, C. L.; Blum, N. J. (2008). "Behavioral health screening in urban primary care settings: Construct validity of the PSC-17". Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. 29 (2): 124–128. doi:10.1097/DBP.0b013e31816a0d9e.

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 {{psychology sidebar}}
+The Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC) is a 35-item screening questionnaire designed to identify children with difficulties in [[psychosocial]] functioning. It primarily measures inner distress and mood, interpersonal relations and behavior, and attention. The first version of the checklist was a modification of the Washington Symptom Checklist developed by Weinberger and Gregory in 1968.<ref name="Jellinek 1979">{{cite journal|last1=Jellinek|first1=M.|last2=Evans|first2=N.|last3=Knight|first3=R. B.|title=Use of a behavior checklist on a pediatric inpatient unit|journal=The Journal of Pediatrics|date=1979|volume=94|issue=1|pages=156-158|doi=10.1016/S0022-3476(79)80386-8}}</ref> The PSC is a parent-report assessment designed for use in outpatient pediatric practices. It is not a diagnostic tool — a positive result indicates that the child in question requires further evaluation.<ref name="Jellinek 1988">{{cite journal|last1=Jellinek|first1=M. S.|last2=Murphy|first2=J. M.|last3=Robinson|first3=J.|last4=Feins|first4=A.|last5=Lamb|first5=S.|last6=Fenton|first6=T.|title=Pediatric symptom checklist: Screening school-age children for psychosocial dysfunction|journal=Journal of Pediatrics|date=1988|volume=112|issue=2|pages=201-209|doi=10.1016/S0022-3476(88)80056-8}}</ref>
-The '''Pediatric Symptom Checklist''' ('''PSC''') is a 35-question psychological assessment tool designed to evaluate and identify cognitive, emotional, and behavioral problems in children and adolescents. There are four versions of the PSC, including a full-length parent-report form (PSC), a full-length youth self-report form (Y-PSC), a shortened parent-report form (PSC-17), and a shortened youth self-report form (Y-PSC-17). The PSC contains a series of statements regarding the child's emotions and behavior. Respondents are asked to indicate to what degree the statement describes the child, with response options of "never", "sometimes", and "often". The PSC is available in six languages, including Spanish and German. The questionnaire takes about 5-10 minutes to complete and the is designed for use with children ages 4 and up (PSC) and adolescents ages 11 and up (Y-PSC). Several peer-reviewed research studies support the Pediatric Symptom Checklist as a [[reliability (psychometrics)|reliable]] and [[test validity|valid]] measure of psychological symptoms in children and adolescents, giving it an assessment rating of "A — Reliability and Validity Demonstrated".<ref name=GardnerEtAl1999/><ref name=GardnerEtAl2007/><ref name=KostaneckaEtAl2008/>
+==Development and Structure==
+The PSC was designed because none of the available instruments offered the “optimal combination of efficiency, ease of administration, and screening accuracy” (p.451). <ref name="Murphy 1988">{{cite journal|last1=Murphy|first1=J. M.|last2=Jellinek|first2=M. S.|title=Screening for psychosocial dysfunction in economically disadvantaged and minority-group children: Further validation of the pediatric symptom checklist|journal=American Journal of Orthopsychiatry|date=1988|volume=58|issue=3|pages=450-456|doi=10.1111/j.1939-0025.1988.tb01605.x}}</ref> The first draft was a shortened and revised form of the Washington Symptom Checklist (WSCL) designed by Weinburger and Gregory.  The researchers shortened the WSCL from 67 to 27 questions and removed open-ended questions. They also revised questions to address the five major areas they wanted to examine: mood, play, school, friends, and family relations.<ref name= "Jellinek 1979"/> The PSC was further revised based on “the symptoms of the major diagnoses for children listed in the [[American Psychiatric Association]] [[Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders#DSM-III (1980)| DSM-III]], the clinical impressions of several pediatricians, psychologists, and child psychiatrists, and a review of items from other questionnaires reported to be the most useful in identifying children with emotional problems” (p. 372). <ref name="Jellinek 1986">{{cite journal|last1=Jellinek|first1=M. S.|last2=Murphy|first2=J. M.|last3=Burn|first3=B. J.|title=Brief psychosocial screening in outpatient pediatric practice|journal=The Journal of Pediatrics|date=1986|volume=109|issue=2|pages=371-378|doi=10.1016/S0022-3476(86)80408-5}}</ref>
+The current PSC contains 35 statements focused on the child’s day-to-day behavior and mood. <ref name= "Jellinek 1988" /> Parents are asked to indicate how frequently each of the statements, referred to as symptoms, describes the child; response options include "never", "sometimes", and “often”. Examples of statements include “feels he or she is bad,” “teases others,” and “is distracted easily.” The questionnaire takes 3-5 minutes to complete. <ref name= "Jellinek 1986"/> The original study of the PSC focused on children between 6 and 12 years old, but the checklist has been studied and validated in all age groups between 4 and 16 years. <ref name="Jellinek 1999">{{cite journal|last1=Jellinek|first1=M. S.|last2=Murphy|first2=J. M.|last3=Little|first3=M.|last4=Pagano|first4=M. E.|last5=Comer|first5=D. M.|last6=Kelleher|first6=K. J.|title=Use of the pediatric symptom checklist to screen for psychosocial problems in pediatric primary care: A national feasibility study|journal=Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine|date=1999|volume=153|issue=3|doi=10.1001/archpedi.153.3.254}}</ref> <ref name="Little 1994">{{cite journal|last1=Little|first1=M.|last2=Murphy|first2=J. M.|last3=Jellinek|first3=M. S.|last4=Birshop|first4=S. J.|last5=Arnett|first5=H. L.|title=Screening 4- and 5-year-old children for psychosocial dysfunction: A preliminary study with the pediatric symptom checklist|journal=Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics|date=1994|volume=15|issue=3|pages=191-197|doi=10.1097/00004703-199406000-00007}}</ref> <ref name="Murphy and Arnett 1992">{{cite journal|last1=Murphy|first1=J. M.|last2=Arnett|first2=H. L.|last3=Bishop|first3=S. J.|last4=Jellinek|first4=M. S.|last5=Reede|first5=J. Y.|title=Screening for psychosocial dysfunction in pediatric practice: A naturalistic study of the pediatric symptom checklist.|journal=Clinical Pediatrics|date=1992|volume=31|issue=11|pages=660-667|doi=10.1177/000992289203101104}}</ref>
 ==Scoring and interpretation==
+The PSC is scored by assigning point values to the ratings: 2 = “often”, 1 = “sometimes”, and 0 = “never”. The points are summed for a total score, with possible scores ranging from 0 to 70.<ref name="Pagano 1996">{{cite journal|last1=Pagano|first1=M.|last2=Murphy|first2=J. M.|last3=Pedersen|first3=M.|last4=Mosbacher|first4=D.|last5=Crist-Whitzel|first5=J.|last6=Jordan|first6=P.|last7=Rodas|first7=C.|last8=Jellinek|first8=M. S.|title=Screening for psychosocial problems in 4-5-year-olds during routine EPSDT examinations: Validity and reliability in a Mexican-American sample|journal=Clinical Pediatrics|date=1996|volume=35|issue=3|pages=139-146|doi=10.1177/000992289603500305}}</ref> An overall score above the cutoff point, sometimes referred to as a positive score, indicates need for further assessment. The cutoff score for children older than 6 years old is 28.<ref name= "Jellinek 1986"/> For children younger than 6 years old, four items that pertain to school are excluded. As a result, the range of scores is lower and the cutoff score is lowered to 24. <ref name= "Pagano 1996"/>
-===Question breakdown===
-The PSC and Y-PSC include three subscales, the questions of which evaluate a given symptom set:<ref name=MassGenScoring/>
+If a child obtains a score above the cutoff, the pediatrician would review the questionnaire, explore any apparent problem areas, determine the severity of dysfunction, and then decide on what type of follow-up is appropriate: no follow-up needed, treatment already being received, follow-up by pediatrician, or referral to a mental health professional.<ref name= "Jellinek 1986"/>
-* '''Attention problems subscale''': questions 4, 7, 8, 9, and 14
-** A score of 7 or higher on this subscale indicates significant impairments in attention.
+==Versions==
-* '''Internalizing problems subscale''': questions 11, 13, 19, 22, and 27
+There are four versions of the PSC, including a full-length parent-report form (PSC), a full-length youth self-report form (Y-PSC), a shortened parent-report form (PSC-17), and a shortened youth self-report form (Y-PSC-17).
-** A score of 5 or higher on this subscale indicates significant symptoms of anxiety and depression.
-* '''Externalizing problems subscale''': questions 16, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35
+===Y-PSC===
-** A score of 7 or higher on this subscale indicates significant problems with conduct.
+The Y-PSC was designed to screen adolescents for psychosocial problems in school settings. It was adapted from the PSC by changing relevant pronouns and verbs. For instance, the statement “takes things that do not belong to him or her” was changed to “take things that do not belong to you” and the statement “worries a lot” was changed to “worry a lot”. The recommended cutoff score is 30 and it has the same number of items as the PSC. As a self-report measure, it is useful for identifying symptoms of [[internalizing disorder|internalizing disorders]], such as [[anxiety]] or [[depression (mood)|depression]], which are often missed by parents. <ref name="Pagano 2000">{{cite journal|last1=Pagano|first1=M. E.|last2=Cassidy|first2=L. J.|last3=Little|first3=M.|last4=Murphy|first4=J. M.|last5=Jellinek|first5=M. S.|title=Identifying psychosocial dysfunction in school-age children: The pediatric symptom checklist as a self-report measure|journal=Psychology in the Schools|date=2000|volume=37|issue=2|pages=91-106|doi=10.1002/(SICI)1520-6807(200003)37:2<91::AID-PITS1>3.0.CO;2-3}}</ref>
+===PSC-17===
+The PSC-17 is a shortened, 17-item version of the PSC. It also includes three sub-scales which were designed to screen for distinct domains of [[psychosocial]] problems — [[internalizing disorder| internalizing]], [[externalizing disorders| externalizing]], and attention — and provide physicians with more information about directions for further evaluation. The subscales were also intended to increase the [[sensitivity and specificity|sensitivity]] of the screen because only using a total score might miss children with dysfunction in only one domain. Internalizing problems involve inner distress and mood and questions about these problems include the statements “feels hopeless” and “is down on him or herself.” Externalizing problems typically involve maladaptive behaviors and conflicts with others; questions about externalizing problems include the statements “fights with other children” and “teases others.” Questions about attention problems include the statements “fidgety, unable to sit still” and “distracted easily.” Parents respond to statements with ratings on the same scale as the PSC: often, sometimes, or never .
+Parents ratings are converted to a total score and sub-scale scores. The cut-offs for the total score, internalizing problems scale, externalizing problems scale, and attention problems scale are 15, 5, 7, and 7, respectively. As on the PSC, a score above the cutoff is not diagnostic; it indicates only that further evaluation is needed.<ref name="Gardner 1999">{{cite journal|last1=Gardner|first1=W.|last2=Murphy|first2=M.|last3=Childs|first3=G.|last4=Kelleher|first4=K.|last5=Pagano|first5=M.|last6=Jellinek|first6=M.|last7=McInerny|first7=T. K.|last8=Wasserman|first8=R. C.|last9=Nutting|first9=P.|last10=Chiappetta|first10=L.|title=The PSC-17: A brief pediatric symptom checklist with psychosocial problem subscales. A report from PROS and ASPN|journal=Ambulatory Child Health|date=1999|volume=5|issue=3|pages=225-236}}</ref>
+===Y-PSC-17===
+The Y-PSC-17 was adapted from the PSC-17 for self-report by adolescents. It has not yet been validated. <ref name="Duke 2005">{{cite journal|last1=Duke|first1=N.|last2=Ireland|first2=A.|last3=Borowsky|first3=I. W.|title=Identifying psychosocial problems among youth: Factors associated with youth agreement on a positive parent-completed PSC-17|journal=Child: Care, Health and Development|date=2005|volume=31|issue=5|pages=563-573|doi=10.1111/j.1365-2214.2005.00551.x}}</ref>
+==Psychometrics==
+===Reliability===
+====Test-Retest====
+Studies of the PSC have consistently found moderate to high [[repeatability|test-retest reliability]]. An early study of the PSC compared scores one week apart and found [[Pearson correlation coefficient|Pearson’s r]] = 0.86.<ref name = "Jellinek 1986" /> The original study of the Y-PSC retested participants four months after the original test and found r = 0.45. <ref name= "Pagano 2000" /> PSC scores were examined over a longer period of time, 10 to 18 months, in a more recent study which found that scores for patients who originally scored negative, below the cutoff, were stable over time and the scores of patients who originally scored positive, above the cutoff, and were referred to mental health services tended to decrease, or improve.<ref name="Hacker 2009">{{cite journal|last1=Hacker|first1=K. A.|last2=Williams|first2=S.|last3=Myagmarjay|first3=E.|last4=Cabral|first4=H.|last5=Murphy|first5=M.|title=Persistence and change in pediatric symptom checklist scores over 10 to 18 months|journal=Academic Pediatrics|date=2009|volume=9|issue=4|pages=270-277|doi=10.1016/j.acap.2009.03.004}}</ref>
+====Internal Consistency====
+[[Internal consistency]] has routinely been high in studies of the PSC and its various forms, formats, and languages. The original study of the PSC found [[Cronbach's alpha|alpha]] = 0.86 indicating that the PSC had a fairly high degree of internal consistency. <ref name= "Jellinek 1986" /> One of the original studies of the PSC-17 measured internal consistency of the full scale and each of its subscales and found alpha values for each between 0.79 and 0.89. <ref name= "Gardner 1999" /> A study using the English, Spanish, oral, and written formats of the PSC found alpha = 0.91-0.92 for all formats.<ref name="Murphy 1996">{{cite journal|last1=Murphy|first1=J. M.|last2=Ichinose|first2=C.|last3=Hicks|first3=R. C.|last4=Kingdon|first4=D.|last5=Crist-Whitzel|first5=J.|last6=Jordan|first6=P.|last7=Feldman|first7=G.|last8=Jellinek|first8=M. S.|title=Utility of the pediatric symptom checklist as a psychosocial screen to meet the federal early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment (EPSDT) standards: A pilot study|journal=Journal of Pediatrics|date=1996|volume=129|issue=6|pages=864-869|doi=10.1016/S0022-3476(96)70030-6}}</ref> A study done with the Dutch PSC found alpha = 0.89, one done with the German PSC found alpha = 0.86, for the Korean PSC alpha = 0.95. <ref name="Reijneveld 2006">{{cite journal|last1=Reijneveld|first1=S. A.|last2=Vogels|first2=A. G. C.|last3=Hoekstra|first3=F.|last4=Crone|first4=M. R.|title=Use of the pediatric symptom checklist for the detection of psychosocial problems in preventive child healthcare|journal=BMC Public Health|date=2006|volume=6|doi=10.1186/1471-2458-6-197}}</ref> <ref name="Thun-Hohenstein 2008">{{cite journal|last1=Thun-Hohenstein|first1=L.|last2=Herzog|first2=S.|title=The predictive value of the pediatric symptom checklist in 5-year-old Austrian children|journal=European Journal of Pediatrics|date=2008|volume=167|issue=3|pages=323-329|doi=10.1007/s00431-007-0494-z}}</ref> <ref name="Han 2015">{{cite journal|last1=Han|first1=D. H.|last2=Woo|first2=J.|last3=Jeong|first3=J. H.|last4=Hwang|first4=S.|last5=Chung|first5=U. S.|title=The Korean version of the pediatric symptom checklist: Psychometric properties in Korean school-aged children|journal=Journal of Korean Medical Science|date=2015|volume=30|issue=8|pages=1167-1174|doi=10.3346/jkms.2015.30.8.1167}}</ref>
+===Validity===
+====Concurrent====
+The PSC has consistently shown moderate to strong correlations with other validated measures of similar constructs, demonstrating [[concurrent validity]]. The original study compared checklist scores to ratings derived from a psychiatric interview and found r = 0.85. <ref name= "Jellinek 1979" /> An early study of the PSC compared it with the [[Child Behavior Checklist]] (CBCL) developed by Achenbach and found [[Cohen's kappa|kappa]] = 0.76 indicating a high level of agreement. <ref name= "Jellinek 1986" /> The original study of the PSC-17 compared its subscales to other validated parent report instruments and found good agreement. The internalizing subscale was compared to the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders ([[SCARED]]), the externalizing subscale was compared to the aggression subscale of the Iowa Connors Rating Scale, and the the attention subscale was compared to the inattention—overactivity subscale of the Iowa Connors Rating scale. <ref name= "Gardner 1999" /> A study comparing the PSC-17 total score to the CBCL found r = 0.72.<ref name="Gardner 2007">{{cite journal|last1=Gardner|first1=W.|last2=Lucas|first2=A.|last3=Kolko|first3=D. J.|last4=Campo|first4=J. V.|title=Comparison of the PSC-17 and alternative mental health screens in an at-risk primary care sample|journal=Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry|date=2007|volume=46|issue=5|pages=611-618|doi=10.1097/chi.0b013e318032384b}}</ref>
+====Predictive====
+Demonstrating [[predictive validity]], a positive score on the Y-PSC was correlated with specific psychosocial problem areas including getting into trouble, health problems, and problems getting along with parents and peers in a study of adolescents. Students with positive scores on the Y-PSC were also more likely to have poor grades and have higher absentee and tardy rates. <ref name="Gall 2000">{{cite journal|last1=Gall|first1=G.|last2=Pagano|first2=M. E.|last3=Desmond|first3=M. S.|last4=Perrin|first4=J. M.|last5=Murphy|first5=J. M.|title=Utility of psychosocial screening at a school-based health center|journal=Journal of School Health|date=2000|volume=70|issue=7|pages=292-298|doi=10.1111/j.1746-1561.2000.tb07254.x}}</ref>
+==Impact==
+Psychosocial dysfunction is a common condition of children and adolescents and the risk for impairment seems to be higher for at risk groups such as minority or low-income families. Routine use of screening instruments, like the PSC, in primary care is a means of improving recognition and management of dysfunction. <ref name= "Jellinek 1999" /> To further increase detection of psychosocial problems, the PSC can be used during acute care visits; only using the PSC during routine, health check-ups may miss opportunities to recognize dysfunction and refer patients to further mental health assessment and care.<ref name="Borowsky 2003">{{cite journal|last1=Borowsky|first1=I. W.|last2=Mozayeny|first2=W.|last3=Ireland|first3=M.|title=Brief psychosocial screening at health supervision and acute care visits|journal=Pediatrics|date=2003|volume=112|issue=1|pages=129-133|doi=10.1542/peds.112.1.129}}</ref> Studies have shown that referral to mental health services can lead to improved academic performance and that recognizing and managing psychosocial problems is “one of the best ways to prevent delinquency, violence, and other high-risk behaviors.” <ref name= "Gall 2000" /> <ref name= "Borowsky 2003" /> The PSC can also be used to track outcomes of treatment as successful interventions have been found to reduce scores over time. <ref name="Kamin 2015">{{cite journal|last1=Kamin|first1=H. S.|last2=Mccarthy|first2=A. E.|last3=Abel|first3=M. R.|last4=Jellinek|first4=M. S.|last5=Baer|first5=L.|last6=Murphy|first6=J. M.|title=Using a brief parent-report measure to track outcomes for children and teens with internalizing disorders|journal=Child Psychiatry and Human Development|date=2015|volume=46|issue=6|pages=851-862|doi=10.1007/s10578-014-0525-8}}</ref> <ref name= "Hacker 2009" />
+Studies have also found that the PSC is useful as a screening measure to meet federal [[Medicaid]]/Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment ([[EPSDT]]) requirements for children ages 4 -16. <ref name="Pagano 1996"/>{{cite journal|last1=Pagano|first1=M.|last2=Murphy|first2=J. M.|last3=Pedersen|first3=M.|last4=Mosbacher|first4=D.|last5=CristWhitzel|first5=J.|last6=Jordan|first6=P.|last7=Jellinek|first7=M. S.|title=Screening for psychosocial problems in 4-5-year-olds during routine EPSDT examinations: Validity and reliability in a Mexican-American sample|journal=Clinical Pediatrics|date=1996|volume=35|issue=3|pages=139-146|doi=10.1177/000992289603500305}}</ref> <ref name= "Murphy 1996" />
+==Use in other populations==
+The PSC has been translated into 19 other languages including Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, and Japanese. A pictorial version of the PSC has also been developed. The Y-PSC, PSC-17, and Y-PSC-17 have been translated into 5, 3, and 1 other language, respectively.<ref name="MGH">{{cite web|title=Pediatric Symptom Checklist|url=http://www.massgeneral.org/psychiatry/services/psc_home.aspx|website=Massachusetts General Hospital: Psychiatry}}</ref>
+The Spanish PSC, along with the English PSC, in both oral and written formats was used in a study with Mexican-American pre-school children, aged 4-5. All forms were found to be valid and reliable. <ref name= "Pagano 1996"/> However, when the age range was expanded to 4-16 years in a later study, the cut-off score had to be lowered to 12 to optimize sensitivity. <ref name="Jutte 2003">{{cite journal|last1=Jutte|first1=D. P.|last2=Burgos|first2=A.|last3=Mendoza|first3=F.|last4=Ford|first4=C. B.|last5=Huffman|first5=L. C.|title=Use of the pediatric symptom checklist in a low-income, Mexican American population.|journal=Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine|date=2003|volume=157|issue=12|pages=1169-1176|doi=10.1001/archpedi.157.12.1169}}</ref> A study done with the Dutch PSC found it to have good internal consistency and validity. Dutch children’s mean PSC scores, as well as scores on other symptom checklists, were lower than those of American children indicating differences in levels of symptoms reported by parents based on country. A lower cut-off score of 22 had to be adopted to reach a similar level of [[sensitivity and specificity]] to the US version <ref name= "Reijneveld 2006" />. The German translation of the PSC was used in a study of Austrian preschool children and found to be valid and reliable. The mean PSC scores were low; a lower cut-off score of 15.5 was adopted to optimize sensitivity and specificity. <ref name= "Thun-Hohenstein 2008" /> A study of the Korean PSC found it to have good reliability and validity. The cut-off score was lowered to 14 to achieve optimal sensitivity and specificity. <ref name= "Han 2015" />
+Studies have examined the use of the PSC and PSC-17 in urban or inner-city populations. The PSC was found to be valid and reliable for children in these areas.<ref name="Murphy and Reede 1992">{{cite journal|last1=Murphy|first1=J. M.|last2=Reede|first2=J.|last3=Jellinek|first3=M. S.|last4=Bishop|first4=S. J.|title=Screening for psychosocial dysfunction in inner-city children: Further validation of the pediatric symptom checklist|journal=Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry|date=1992|volume=31|issue=6|pages=1105-1111|doi=10.1097/00004583-199211000-00019}}</ref> The study of the PSC-17 found that the sub-scales, particularly the externalizing and attention sub-scales, may not be valid measures in urban populations.<ref name="Kostanecka 2008">{{cite journal|last1=Kostanecka|first1=A.|last2=Power|first2=T.|last3=Clarke|first3=A.|last4=Watkins|first4=M.|last5=Hausman|first5=C. L.|last6=Blum|first6=N. J.|title=Behavioral health screening in urban primary care settings: Construct validity of the PSC-17|journal=Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics|date=2008|volume=29|issue=2|pages=124-128|doi=10.1097/DBP.0b013e31816a0d9e}}</ref>
-===Scoring===
+==Limitations==
+===PSC and PSC-17===
-Scoring the PSC is based on a 0-2 scale, with each question being scored as follows based on responses:
+The PSC and PSC-17, as parent-report measures, have some limitations: parents may not recognize or acknowledge their children’s problems, especially if they have weak parent-child connections, and may under- or over-report their symptoms. <ref name= "Gardner 1999" />
-* '''0 points:''' 0, meaning "never"
-* '''1 point:''' 1, meaning "sometimes"
-* '''2 points:''' 2, meaning "often"
+Studies of different translations of the PSC in different countries have found that the recommended cut-off score is not always optimal for detection of children with impairments. Having to recalculate the cut-off for each new language or population could make it difficult to use. <ref name= "Thun-Hohenstein 2008" />
-===Cutoffs===
+===Y-PSC===
-Scores are summed to yield the total score. Cutoff scores vary based on the measure format and on age:<ref name=MassGenScoring/>
+As a self-report measure for children and adolescents, the Y-PSC is subject to some limitations: respondents may misunderstand questions, especially those with learning or attentional problems, and children may under- or over-report their symptoms. <ref name= "Pagano 2000" />
-* '''PSC''':
-** For children ages 4 and 5, a score of 24 or higher indicates significant psychological impairment.
-** For children ages 6 to 16, a score of 28 or higher indicates significant psychological impairment.
-* '''Y-PSC''':
--For adolescents of all ages, a score of 30 or higher indicates significant psychological impairment.
-* '''PSC-17''':
-** For children of all ages, a score of 15 or higher indicates significant psychological impairment.
-==See also==
+==See Also==
-* [http://www.brightfutures.org/mentalhealth/pdf/professionals/ped_sympton_chklst.pdf Full PSC]
+* [http://www.massgeneral.org/psychiatry/assets/PSC-35.pdf Full PSC]
 * [http://www.massgeneral.org/psychiatry/assets/PSCY-35_English.PDF Full Y-PSC]
 * [http://www.massgeneral.org/psychiatry/assets/PSC-17_English.pdf Full PSC-17]
@@ Line 38: / Line 71: @@
 ==References==
+{{Reflist}}
-{{reflist|2|refs=
-<ref name=GardnerEtAl1999>{{cite journal|last1=Gardner|first1=W|last2=Murphy|first2=M|last3=Childs|first3=G|last4=Kelleher|first4=K|last5=Pagano|first5=M|last6=Jellinek|first6=M|last7=McInerny|first7=TK|last8=Wasserman|first8=RC|last9=Nutting|first9=P|last10=Chiappetta|first10=L|title=The PSC-17: A brief pediatric symptom checklist with psychosocial problem subscales. A report from PROS and ASPN|journal=Ambulatory Child Health|date=1999|volume=5|pages=225-225}}</ref>
-<ref name=GardnerEtAl2007>{{cite journal|last1=Gardner|first1=W|last2=Lucas|first2=A|last3=Kolko|first3=DJ|last4=Campo|first4=JV|title=Comparison of the PSC-17 and alternative mental health screens in an at-risk primary care sample.|journal=Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry|date=May 2007|volume=46|issue=5|pages=611–8|pmid=17450052|doi=10.1097/chi.0b013e318032384b}}</ref>
-<ref name=KostaneckaEtAl2008>{{cite journal|last1=Kostanecka|first1=A|last2=Power|first2=T|last3=Clarke|first3=A|last4=Watkins|first4=M|last5=Hausman|first5=CL|last6=Blum|first6=NJ|title=Behavioral health screening in urban primary care settings: construct validity of the PSC-17.|journal=Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBP|date=April 2008|volume=29|issue=2|pages=124–8|pmid=18408533|doi=10.1097/dbp.0b013e31816a0d9e}}</ref>
-<ref name=MassGenScoring>{{cite web|title=Pediatric Symptom Checklist: Scoring the PSC|url=http://www.massgeneral.org/psychiatry/services/psc_scoring.aspx#app1|website=Massachusetts General Hospital: Psychiatry|publisher=Massachusetts General Hospital|accessdate=21 September 2015}}</ref>
-}}
 [[Category:Clinical psychology tests]]