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Preliminary support for using the Atypicality Scale from the Behavior Assessment System for Children, Second Edition, to screen for psychosis‐spectrum disorders within a college counselling centre
Author(s) -
Thompson Elizabeth C.,
DeLuca Joseph S.,
Petti Emily,
Rakhshan Rouhakhtar Pamela,
Schiffman Jason
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
early intervention in psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.087
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1751-7893
pISSN - 1751-7885
DOI - 10.1111/eip.12972
Subject(s) - psychosis , psychology , schizophrenia spectrum , clinical psychology , scale (ratio) , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , exploratory research , psychiatry , physics , quantum mechanics , sociology , anthropology
Aim Evidence supports the use of brief psychosis‐spectrum screeners for identifying individuals at risk for psychosis. Screening has not been well‐studied in help‐seeking college samples. This study investigated the use of the Behavior Assessment System for Children, Second Edition (BASC‐2) Atypicality Scale as a psychosis‐spectrum screening tool within a university counselling centre. Methods Atypicality scores from the BASC‐2 were compared to interview‐based assessment, the Structured Interview for Psychosis‐risk Syndromes (SIPS), to explore associations across the measures and evaluate the scale's ability to identify individuals who meet criteria for a psychosis‐spectrum diagnosis. Results Forty‐three participants completed the BASC‐2 and SIPS, and 23 were SIPS‐positive. Compared to the SIPS‐negative group, the SIPS‐positive group had significantly higher Atypicality scores. Exploratory results indicated that Atypicality scores identified SIPS‐positive individuals with an overall accuracy of 72% (78% sensitivity, 65% specificity). Conclusion The Atypicality Scale may be an appropriate first‐line psychosis‐spectrum screening tool in college counselling centres.