Initial examination of the mental health disorders: screening instrument for athletes

Introduction There is a need to psychometrically develop assessment instruments capable of screening mental health disorders in athlete populations. The current study was conducted determine reliability, validity and clinical utility the Mental Health Disorders Screening Instrument for Athletes (MHDSIA). Methods results: 259 collegiate athletes completed MHDSIA. Factor analysis determined single factor with good internal consistency, this positively correlated an established measure psychiatric symptomology (Symptom Checklist 90-R), demonstrating its concurrent validity. An optimum cutoff score (i.e., 32) using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analyses assist appropriate referrals. Discussion Results suggest MHSIA reliable, valid, relatively quick easy interpret screen broad spectrum athletes. As expected, NCAA reported lower MHDSIA scores than club intramural athletes, while males similar severity as females.