Psychometric validation of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist-17 in a pediatric population with epilepsy: A methods study

- Confirmatory factor analyses for the PSC-17 revealed a good fit with the 3-factor model.
- PSC-17 scale level reliabilities were excellent; interscale correlations were moderate.
- The PSC-17 is a brief, free behavioral health screening tool.

ObjectiveThe 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.MethodOne hundred eighty-seven caregivers of youth with epilepsy ages 2-17 years completed the PSC-17 for their child/adolescent during a routine epilepsy visit. Demographic and seizure information was abstracted from electronic medical record review.ResultsConfirmatory factor analyses for the PSC-17 revealed an acceptable fit with the 3-factor model, χ2 (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.SignificanceThe 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.