Psychometric properties of a Children's Psychosomatic Symptom Checklist

The psychometric properties of the Children's Psychosomatic Symptom Checklist, developed for this study, were examined. When administered to 196 sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students who ranged in age from 11 to 14 years (M = 12.1, SD = .94), the scale items demonstrated a good internal consistency. Item-total correlations were generally significant and exceeded .60, and a coefficient alpha of .83 was obtained. Results of a factor analysis indicated that 70% of the total variance was accounted for by the first factor, best interpreted as general psychosomatic distress. Divergent validity was additionally demonstrated through only modest correlations with measures of anxiety and depression. Use of the checklist is discussed.