Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


Swaminathan Thesis 2016 Revised.pdf (1 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Relationships between symptoms and adaptive functioning in clinic-referred adolescents: Patterns of internalizing, externalizing, and co-occurring symptoms

Swaminathan, Sindhia
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6549-0296
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1457534784

Abstract Details

2016, Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, Psychology/Clinical.
Previous research with community samples has demonstrated that adolescents with internalizing and externalizing symptoms have varying levels of impairment across different domains of functioning, such as social or school functioning. However, few studies examined the relationship of symptoms and functioning using a comprehensive measure of multiple domains of adaptive functioning, or examined these relationships in a clinical sample. The current study aimed to determine whether there are meaningful relationships between internalizing and externalizing symptoms and multiple domains of adaptive functioning in a clinical sample of adolescents. The sample consisted of approximately 1080 adolescents and their parents or guardians who were receiving services at a community mental health clinic in a semi-rural region of the Midwest. Youth- and parent-reported symptom severity and functional impairment were measured at intake appointments using the Ohio Scales. The study was designed to achieve the following goals: (1) To empirically determine whether the Functioning scale items from the Ohio Scales represent one construct or multiple dimensions of adaptive functioning; (2) to explore differences between internalizing and externalizing symptoms in terms of their relation to domains of adaptive functioning; and (3) to observe whether relationships between type of symptoms and level of adaptive functioning are similar for both youth- and parent-report measures. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to address the first goal. Following these analyses, the relationships between symptoms and functioning were explored using structural equation modeling. Results of the exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated that youth and parent measures of functioning tapped into five domains encompassing youths’ school, social-emotional, recreation, self-care, and responsible behavior. Impaired responsible behavior and school functioning were more strongly associated with externalizing than internalizing symptoms, whereas impairment in social-emotional functioning was more strongly associated with internalizing than externalizing symptoms. Relationships between internalizing and externalizing symptoms and the different functioning domains were similar in both youth and parent structural equation models. Overall, these results suggest that youth- and parent-report measures of adaptive functioning may add value to the assessment and treatment planning process in community mental health settings.
Carolyn Tompsett, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Annette Mahoney, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Dara Musher-Eizenman, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
84 p.
Clinical Psychology; Mental Health
adolescent; youth; mental health; functioning; symptoms; internalizing; externalizing; impairment; parent-report; self-report; Ohio Scales

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Swaminathan, S. (2016). Relationships between symptoms and adaptive functioning in clinic-referred adolescents: Patterns of internalizing, externalizing, and co-occurring symptoms [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1457534784

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Swaminathan, Sindhia. Relationships between symptoms and adaptive functioning in clinic-referred adolescents: Patterns of internalizing, externalizing, and co-occurring symptoms. 2016. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1457534784.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Swaminathan, Sindhia. "Relationships between symptoms and adaptive functioning in clinic-referred adolescents: Patterns of internalizing, externalizing, and co-occurring symptoms." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1457534784

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1457534784
581
© 2016, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.