Dimensions of psychopathology and behavioral problems: A CFA study of the MAYSI-2 scales in legally involved juveniles.

Abstract

The professional resources of the juvenile justice system are often strained by the large influx of newly detained juveniles on a daily basis. Mental health professionals in these facilities face the crucial but time-consuming responsibility of rapidly identifying those with pressing clinical needs. For this purpose, the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-2 (MAYSI-2; Grisso & Barnum, 2006) was developed and widely implemented as a standard component of juvenile intake processing. Building on previous research, the current study successfully replicated the MAYSI-2 factor structure with legally involved juveniles. Unlike a previous confirmatory factor analysis (Russell, Marsee, & Ryals, 2017), this sample included juveniles with extensive substance use issues. In addition, the study explored demographic differences in MAYSI-2 elevations and observed-with several notable exceptions-similar patterns across age, gender, and ethnicity. These findings support the utility of the MAYSI-2 for efficiently and effectively screening for immediate mental health needs, which helps ensure juveniles are able to benefit from interventions aimed at criminal behavior. As noted in the discussion below, however, these results also suggest a potential need to reconsider cut score guidelines for the warning (i.e., the top 10% for juvenile offenders) level of interpretation. What is the significance of this article for the general public?The juvenile justice system is responsible for the physical and mental health welfare of the thousands of juveniles in its custody. In addressing their emotional welfare, the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-2 is utilized in the vast majority of American juvenile detention facilities to screen for pressing mental health needs. The current study further validates the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-2 scales as effectively evaluating relevant diagnostic issues and raises considerations for improving its future implementation.

Redesigning the Central Eight: Introducing the M-PACT Six

“…For example, outcome-specific (i.e., violent, sex offending), or narrowband, prediction models include Ralston’s (2008) examination of the Juvenile Sexual Offense Recidivism Risk Assessment Tool-II. There have also been examinations of the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-2 by Russell et al (2017) and Williams et al (2019) in addition to several studies of the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (Forth et al, 2003; Harpur et al, 1989; Pechorro et al, 2014) and multiple analyses of the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (Childs et al, 2014; Sijtsema et al, 2015). However, due to their “specialized” functionality, these tools are less frequently used, and findings indicate varying levels of success when attempting to replicate the original, theoretically derived domain structures.…”

Commentary on translational impact: Distinguishing between passive and active suicidal ideation to address the mental health needs of female juveniles.

“…Female juveniles' internalized symptoms and risk for SI, both passive and active, deserve significant attention. Inspired by Williams et al's (2019) work, this commentary outlined ideas for test revisions and administration to increase the MAYSI-2's impact in preventing suicide in this population.…”

“…This commentary piece addresses Williams, Rogers, and Hartigan’s (2019) study published in the special issue of Translational Issues in Psychological Science regarding psychological science and juvenile justice. The commentary first emphasizes the findings and discussions of Williams et al (2019) relating to gender-specific cut scores, female juveniles experiencing extensive internalized symptoms, and the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-2 (MAYSI-2) failing to predict suicidal behavior in female juveniles.…”

“…This commentary piece addresses Williams, Rogers, and Hartigan’s (2019) study published in the special issue of Translational Issues in Psychological Science regarding psychological science and juvenile justice. The commentary first emphasizes the findings and discussions of Williams et al (2019) relating to gender-specific cut scores, female juveniles experiencing extensive internalized symptoms, and the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-2 (MAYSI-2) failing to predict suicidal behavior in female juveniles. Then, ideas for separating passive and active suicidal ideation in the MAYSI-2’s suicide ideation scale are proposed, as well as arguments for how these ideas can benefit female juveniles and reduce the high rates of completed suicides by juveniles shortly after incarceration.…”

“…Williams, Rogers, and Hartigan (2019) conducted an important replication study related to demographic differences and caution/warning levels flagged by the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-2 (MAYSI-2) in legally involved juveniles. Their confirmatory factor analysis revealed that gender-responsive changes are necessary to meet the mental health needs of female juveniles experiencing suicide ideation (SI).…”