Pediatric Symptom Checklist - 17 (PSC-17) (pediatric)

Description: The Pediatric Symptom Checklist - 17 (PSC-17) is a 17-item screening measure for children. The measure helps identify and assess changes in emotional and behavioral problems in children.

Pediatric self-report ages: 8-17 years
Pediatric proxy-report (patient) ages: 5-17 years

Scoring: Higher scores indicate more psychosocial dysfunction/ symptoms of a behavioral mood disorder.
Total score: minimum = 0, maximum = 34
Total score >= 15 indicates a positive screen.

Subscores are scored as totals:
Attention score (positive score >= 7): 

  • Item 1. Fidgety, unable to sit still
  • Item 3. Daydream too much
  • Item 7. Have trouble concentrating
  • Item 13. Act as if driven by a motor
  • Item 17. Distract easily

Externalizing score (positive score >= 7):

  • Item 4. Refuse to share
  • Item 5. Do not understand other people’s feelings
  • Item 8. Fight with other children
  • Item 10. Blame others for your troubles
  • Item 12. Do not listen to rules
  • Item 14. Tease others
  • Item 16. Take things that do not belong to you

Internalizing score (positive score >= 5):

  • Item 2. Feel sad, unhappy
  • Item 6. Feel hopeless
  • Item 9. Down on yourself
  • Item 11. Seem to be having less fun
  • Item 15. Worry a lot

Click below to view the Pediatric Symptom Checklist - 17 (PSC-17) versions:

Pediatric Symptom Checklist - 17 (YPSC-17) Pediatric Self-Report (ages 8-17)

Pediatric Symptom Checklist - 17 (PSC-17) Pediatric Proxy-Report (ages 5-17)