Evaluating a Unified Screener for Adolescent Internalizing and Externalizing Problems

Internalizing and externalizing problems are common targets for school mental health screening. Prior research supports the interpretation of scores from Youth Problems Screener (YIPS) Externalizing (YEPS), which were developed separately yet intended as companion measures. We extended previous work by evaluating psychometric defensibility integrated measurement models that combined items YIPS YEPS into a unified screener (YIEPS). Specifically, we evaluated (a) unidimensional model, (b) correlated-factors model with two latent variables representing internalizing problems, (c) bifactor specific factors—internalizing externalizing—and general factor global problems. then tested reliabilities several factors these informational value added competing models. Results indicated YIEPS had best data-model fit screener. However, exploratory analyses suggested an alternative three factors—parsing attention content—might be even better data. Reliability findings factor—representing problems—was most psychometrically defensible. Future directions practice discussed.