NCJ Number
183993
Date Published
2000
Length
98 pages
Annotation
This manual provides guidance for Massachusetts administrators and youth facility staff who apply the revised Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument (MAYSI-2) as a screening tool in juvenile justice agencies to identify signs of mental or emotional disturbance or distress among youths ages 12-17 years.
Abstract
The report also offers technical information about the MAYSI-2 for researchers and clinicians. The instrument is copyrighted and is intended for use at any entry or transitional placement point in the juvenile justice system. These points include intake probation, pretrial detention, and State youth authority reception centers. The tool requires no more than 15 minutes to administer, alerts staff to a youth’s potential mental or emotional distress and certain behavior problems that might require an immediate response, and can be scored and interpreted quickly with out the expertise of a mental health professional. This paper-and-pencil self-report inventory has 52 questions answered by yes or no. The instrument has a fifth grade level of readability. Administration requires about 8-10 minutes and can take place individually or in groups. Youths’ answers contribute to seven scales for males and six scales for females. These scales focus on alcohol or drug use, anger and irritability, depression or anxiety, somatic complaints, suicide ideation, thought disturbance, and traumatic experiences. Appended instrument, scoring key, and scoring profile and 24 references