Psychometric Properties of the Psychosocial Assessment Tool-General in Adolescents and Young Adults with Sickle Cell Disease

Abstract

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with sickle cell disease (SCD) experience psychosocial factors that increase their risk for poor disease management and health outcomes. Routine assessment of psychosocial factors that perpetuate health disparities is recommended. The Psychosocial Assessment Tool 2.0-General (PAT2.0-GEN) AYA is a psychosocial screener with potential clinical utility in AYAs with SCD. This article is a preliminary examination of the internal consistency and predictive validity of this measure in a sample of 45 AYAs with SCD. Methods Participants completed the PAT2.0-GEN AYA, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, and a demographics form; psychosocial referral data were also collected. Results Internal consistency for the PAT2.0-GEN AYA was acceptable except for the Family Beliefs (0.67) and Structure and Resources subscales (0.37). PAT2.0-GEN AYA scores were associated with an increased likelihood of referral for intervention within 4 months. Conclusions The PAT2.0-GEN AYA holds promise as a screener to identify psychosocial risk factors that may compromise health outcomes in AYAs with SCD.