The Psychological Screening Inventory's usefulness as a screening instrument for adolescent inpatients

Two studies assessing the validity of the Psychological Screening Inventory (PSI; Lanyon, 1970) as a screening inventory for adolescent inpatients are reported. Results were mixed. Significant differences in mean scores between adolescent normals and inpatients were found on three scales of the PSI (Alienation, Social Nonconformity, and Discomfort); however, no significant differences in mean scores on any of the five scales were found between hospital referrals deemed appropriate for hospitalization and referrals deemed inappropriate for hospitalization. Further, five alternative rules for using the PSI as a psychiatric screening instrument for referrals were tested. Hit rates using these rules were unacceptable.