Stability and discriminative power of the Young Schema-Questionnaire in a Dutch clinical versus non-clinical population

In this study the temporal stability and general discriminative and classifying ability of the Young Schema-Questionnaire (YSQ) was examined in a clinical and non-clinical sample. To be able to cross-validate on the variables, two parallel subtests, drawn from the YSQ item pool, were utilized. Results suggest adequate rank order stability. However, mean scores tended to drop systematically over time, most likely caused by transient error. Therefore, to assess progress in therapy, the alternate utilization of the parallel parts is advised. Findings from discriminant analysis suggest high sensitivity of the YSQ and its subscales in predicting the presence or absence of psychopathology.