Preliminary Validity for the Langner Symptom Survey and the Brief Symptom Inventory as Mass-Screening Instruments for Adolescent Adjustment

Provided preliminary support for the downward extension of the Langner Symptom Survey (LSS) and the Global Severity Index (GSI) of the Brief Symptom Inventory as mass-screening measures of adjustment for adolescents. Adolescents never in treatment obtained significantly lower LSS and GSI scores than adolescents in outpatient or inpatient treatment. Preliminary validity data for use of a cutoff score of 4 on the LSS also was reported. However, additional research is necessary to determine an appropriate cutoff score for adolescents on the GSI.