The Psychometric Properties of the Colorado Symptom Index
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2008
Keywords
Colorado Symptom Index, Psychiatric symptomatology, Psychometric, Reliability, Validity
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-008-0179-6
Abstract
The Colorado Symptom Index (CSI: Shern et al. 1994, Milbank Quart 72:123–148) is widely used in research as a self-report measure of psychiatric symptomatology, yet little information exists regarding the scale’s psychometric properties. Additionally, the CSI has no cut-off score denoting the need for further psychiatric assessment. This study examined the CSI’s psychometric properties and established a cut-off score. Analyses were based on 3,874 adult Florida Medicaid respondents. The CSI had excellent internal consistency (.92) and test-retest reliability (.71). Evidence of the CSI’s validity was strong; CSI scores distinguished among individuals with and without mental health services needs and were significantly correlated with functioning. Results using a contrasting groups approach indicate that 30 is a reasonable “clinical” cut-off score. At this score, the CSI had respectable sensitivity (.76) and specificity (.68) and a ROC curve analysis suggests that the CSI is “fair to good” discriminator of individuals with psychiatric disabilities
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, v. 35, p. 371-378
Scholar Commons Citation
Boothroyd, Roger A. and Chen, Huey Jen, "The Psychometric Properties of the Colorado Symptom Index" (2008). Mental Health Law & Policy Faculty Publications. 125.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/mhlp_facpub/125
