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

Abstract

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.

Keywords: BASC-2 Atypicality Scale; clinical high risk; college counselling; psychosis risk screening; psychosis-spectrum disorders.