4.2 The YSR

The YSR syndrome scales, which were developed through empirical methods, form continuous measures for eight dimensions of psychological functioning. The eight syndrome scales of the YSR are formed from scores on 86 items, each of which is rated on a three-point scale. For example, the item "I have a hot temper" would be rated 0 if "not true," 1 if "somewhat or sometimes true," or 2 if "very true or often true in the past six months." By summing the individual items of each scale, measures are obtained for eight different syndromes: Withdrawn, Somatic Complaints, Anxious/Depressed, Social Problems, Thought Problems, Attention Problems, Delinquent Behavior, and Aggressive Behavior. The syndrome scales are presented in Figure 3-1.

Elevated syndrome levels are used to classify individuals according to clinical prototypes. Even though this method of diagnosis differs from the standard psychiatric practice of sorting individuals into categories based on the presence or absence of symptoms (Achenbach and McConaughy, 1997), research and practice demonstrates overlap between results derived from this prototype model and those of categorically-based DSM diagnoses (see Chapter 3, this volume, and Achenbach, 1991, p. 196). Further details about the rationale and construction of the scales are given by Achenbach (1991).

This page was last updated on August 05, 2008.

SAMHSA, an agency in the Department of Health and Human Services, is the Federal Government's lead agency for improving the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, addiction treatment, and mental health services in the United States.