Psychometric validation of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist-17 in a pediatric population with epilepsy: A methods study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to address critical gaps in behavioral health care of youth with epilepsy by examining the utility of a brief, well-validated screening instrument, the PSC-17, in a pediatric population with epilepsy.


METHODS
One hundred eighty-seven caregivers of youth with epilepsy ages 2-17years completed the PSC-17 for their child/adolescent during a routine epilepsy visit. Demographic and seizure information was abstracted from electronic medical record review.


RESULTS
Confirmatory factor analyses for the PSC-17 revealed an acceptable fit with the 3-factor model, χ(2) (116 [N=187]=204.54, p<0.001, CFI=0.90, TLI=0.88, RMSEA=0.064, SRMSR=0.078). Scale level reliabilities were excellent (0.72-0.85). Interscale correlations were moderate (0.48-0.69). Approximately 1/5th of the sample met clinical cut-offs for the total score of behavioral health concerns. However, an additional 20% of the sample had at least one elevated subscale score despite the total score being in the normative/nonclinical range.


CONCLUSIONS
The PSC-17 is a brief, free behavioral health screening tool with adequate to strong validity, reliability, and clinical utility for pediatric populations with epilepsy. Clinicians should consider using the 3 PSC-17 subscale scores instead of the total score to guide referrals for further evaluation as the subscales may provide a more accurate picture of functioning in particular domains.
Medical University of South Carolina, College of Nursing, USA; Medical University of South Carolina, 99 Jonathan Lucas St., Charleston, SC 29425, USA; Medical University of South Carolina, Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, USA; Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Pediatrics, USA. Electronic address: wagnerjl@musc.edu.
Janelle L
JL
Wagner
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, USA.
Shanna M
SM
Guilfoyle
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, USA.
Joseph
J
Rausch
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, USA.
Avani C
AC
Modi
D000293:Adolescent; D057189:Checklist; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
Behavioral health; Mental health; Pediatric epilepsy; Psychosocial comorbidities; Psychosocial screening