Psychometric properties of the brief self-report questionnaire for screening putative pre-psychotic states and validation of clinical utility in young adult

INTRODUCTION: The Brief Self-Report Questionnaire for Screening Putative Pre-Psychotic States (BQSPS), a brief, self-reported screening tool for risk of psychosis, can detect auditory perceptual disturbances significantly associated with perceived need for psychological services among young adults. However, the relationship is largely explained by the existence of neurotic traits, anxiety and depression symptoms. OBJECTIVE: This study explores possible explanations of previous results from factor structures of the BQSPS and the clinical implications underlying each factor. METHODS: Construct validity, criterion-related validity, discriminant validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability of the BQSPS are determined among young adults (N = 289). RESULTS: We find that Social Anxiety, Positive Symptoms, and Negative Symptoms are three components in the BQSPS for young adults. Moreover, we find that each component of the BQSPS can be explained by related forms of psychopathology, self-esteem, or personality traits. Finally, the BQSPS can satisfactorily distinguish cases from non-cases using the Symptoms Check List-90-Revised. CONCLUSIONS: We clarify the clinical implications of each component of the BQSPS and thus expand its clinical utility. The BQSPS has good psychometric properties in young adults from an ethnically Chinese population. Limitations and directions for future research are also discussed.