Pediatric Symptom Checklist-17 (PSC-17)

The PSC-17 is a brief screening tool that typically takes 5-10 minutes to complete. Parents or guardians rate their child on 17 items, assessing behavioral and emotional aspects like sleep problems, withdrawal, aggression, and school difficulties.

The total score on the PSC-17 determines whether the child may have psychosocial issues. A score of 15 or higher indicates significant behavioral or emotional problems requiring comprehensive assessment. Additionally, there are clinical cutoff scores for three subscales: Internalizing, Attention, and Externalizing. Scores equal to or higher than these cutoffs suggest the need for more comprehensive assessment in specific areas.

The PSC-17 finds application in various settings, including primary care offices, mental health clinics, and schools. It is a screening tool to identify children at risk of mental health problems. Moreover, it helps monitor children's progress receiving mental health treatment.