Youth reactions to participation in psychological assessment procedures

This study investigates self-reported positive and negative reactions of youth to psychological assessment procedures. A community sample (COM) reported reactions to completing a self-report questionnaire of negative emotional states. A clinical sample (CL) reported reactions both to completion of the questionnaire and to a clinical intake. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) supported distinct, relatively independent positive and negative reactions for both samples. Participants reported significantly greater positive than negative reactions. Developmental and gender differences indicated that girls reported greater positive reactions than boys and that younger children reported greater positive and negative reactions than adolescents. The CL reported greater positive reactions to the clinical intake relative to completing the questionnaire. Discussion focuses on increasing understanding of youth reactions to psychological assessments and potential implications for research and clinical practice.