Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory

Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory (CASI) is a psychological assessment tool used to identify and measure the severity of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. It is a self-report measure that is often used in both clinical and research settings.

Overview

The Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory is a psychometric tool that is designed to assess a wide range of psychiatric symptoms in children and adolescents. It is based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which is the standard classification of mental disorders used by mental health professionals in the United States.

The CASI includes items that assess symptoms of anxiety disorders, mood disorders, behavioral disorders, eating disorders, and substance use disorders. It also includes items that assess symptoms of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.

Use and Administration

The Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory is typically administered by a trained mental health professional. The individual being assessed is asked to respond to a series of statements about their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The responses are then scored and interpreted to provide a comprehensive picture of the individual's psychiatric symptoms.

Scoring and Interpretation

The scoring of the Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory is based on the frequency and severity of the symptoms reported. The scores are then compared to normative data to determine the presence and severity of psychiatric disorders.

The interpretation of the CASI scores is typically done by a trained mental health professional. The results can be used to guide treatment planning and to monitor the effectiveness of interventions.

Limitations

While the Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory is a valuable tool for assessing psychiatric symptoms in children and adolescents, it is not without limitations. It relies on self-report, which can be influenced by a variety of factors, including the individual's understanding of the questions, their willingness to disclose personal information, and their ability to accurately recall their symptoms.

See Also

• Psychological assessment
• Psychiatric disorders
• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

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