Overview
The PSC-17 (Pediatric Symptom Checklist – 17) is a brief, validated screening tool used to identify emotional and behavioral problems in children and adolescents.
It is commonly used in primary care, pediatric, school, and mental health settings to support early identification of psychosocial difficulties and guide referrals for further evaluation.
What Does PSC-17 Measure?
PSC-17 assesses three key psychosocial domains:
- Internalizing symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depression, withdrawal)
- Externalizing symptoms (e.g., conduct problems, aggression)
- Attention problems (e.g., inattention, hyperactivity)
This structure allows clinicians to quickly identify areas of concern across multiple dimensions of child mental health.
Who Is PSC-17 For?
is designed for:
- Children and adolescents
It is typically completed by:
- Parents or caregivers
- In some settings, adolescents may self-report
The tool is widely used by:
- Pediatricians and family physicians
- Child psychologists and psychiatrists
- School counselors and nurses
- Integrated behavioral health teams
How PSC-17 Is Scored
The PSC-17 consists of 17 items rated on a 3-point scale.
Scoring Method
- Items are scored as:
- 0 = Never
- 1 = Sometimes
- 2 = Often
- Subscale scores are calculated for:
- Internalizing
- Externalizing
- Attention
- A total score is also calculated
Higher scores indicate greater psychosocial impairment.
How PSC-17 Is Used
PSC-17 may be administered:
- During routine pediatric check-ups
- As part of school-based screening programs
- At intake for behavioral health services
- For follow-up and symptom monitoring
Its brief format makes it ideal for time-limited clinical settings.
Interpreting PSC-17 Scores
PSC-17 scores help clinicians:
- Identify children at risk for mental health concerns
- Determine the need for further assessment or referral
- Track symptom trends over time
- Support conversations with families about emotional and behavioral health
Scores should always be interpreted alongside clinical judgment and contextual information.
Using PSC-17 on Our Platform
When administered through our platform, PSC-17 allows clinicians to:
- Collect caregiver-reported data efficiently
- Monitor symptom changes longitudinally
- Visualize subscale and total scores
- Integrate screening results into care planning
- Support early intervention and referral decisions
This enhances proactive and collaborative pediatric mental health care.
Clinical Considerations
- The PSC-17 is a screening tool, not a diagnostic measure
- Positive screens should be followed by comprehensive assessment
- Cultural, developmental, and family factors should be considered
- Results should be discussed sensitively with caregivers
Gardner, W., Murphy, M., Childs, G., Kelleher, K., Pagano, M., Jellinek, M., et al. (1999).
The PSC-17: A brief pediatric symptom checklist.
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
Screening psychosocial concerns in children.
Caregivers or parents.
Internalizing, externalizing, and attention problems.
Yes, commonly.
Yes, by identifying areas of concern.
Yes, typically under 5 minutes.
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