An Investigation into the Emotional and Behavioral Profiles of Youth At Risk for Psychosis using the Behavior Assessment System for Children, Second Edition

Interest in predicting psychosis-risk, and psychopathology associated with risk, has grown exponentially as research has suggested a link between early intervention for psychosis and better outcomes. Researchers have identified the clinical high-risk (CHR) state as a means of identifying vulnerable individuals potentially at risk for psychosis. Although youth at CHR tend to be in need of mental health services, there is a current lack of understanding regarding the distress specifically associated with this state. Investigating various methods of assessing psychosis-specific symptoms as well as other psychosocial difficulties experienced by CHR individuals might serve to guide clinicians in the identification and treatment of this population. Within a help-seeking sample of 81 youth aged 12-22, and a subsample of 56 youth-caregiver dyads, the current study examined the types of distress associated with psychosis-risk symptoms using the Behavior Assessment System for Children, Second Edition (BASC-2). Additionally, parent and youth reports of BASC-2 atypicality, a construct designed to capture symptoms similar to those associated with the psychosis-risk, were evaluated against clinician-rated risk symptoms. Results indicated that CHR symptoms are associated with a broad range of symptoms that warrant further investigation. Findings also suggested that BASC-2 atypicality (as reported by youth and parents) may be particularly useful for the assessment of CHR symptoms, as this construct appears to be predictive of clinician-rated risk. Given this evidence for convergent validity between atypicality and risk symptoms, as well as the additional clinical information the full measure affords, the BASC-2 may be a promising tool for psychosis-risk screening