Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R)*

Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R)Author: Leonard R. Derogatis, PhDThe Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) instrument helps evaluate a broad range of psychological problems and symptoms of psychopathology. The instrument is also useful in measuring patient progress or treatment outcomes.

The SCL-90-R instrument is used by clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and professionals in mental health, medical, and educational settings as well as for research purposes. It can be useful in: 

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  Initial evaluation of patients at intake as an objective method for symptom assessment


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  Measuring patient progress during and after treatment to monitor change


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  Outcomes measurement for treatment programs and providers through aggregated patient information


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  Clinical trials to help measure the changes in symptoms such as depression and anxiety

Quick Facts

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  Qualification: Level M


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  Administer To: Individuals 13 years and older


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  Reading Level: 6th grade


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  Completion Time: 12-15 minutes (90 items, 5-point rating scale)


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  Formats: Paper-and-pencil, audiocassette, or computer administration


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  Report Options: Interpretive, Profile, and Progress


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  Scoring Options: Q Local™ Software, Mail-in Scoring Service, Hand Scoring, Optical Scan Scoring


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  Scales: 9 Primary Symptom Dimensions, 3 Global Indices


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  Norms: Adult nonpatients, Adult psychiatric outpatients, Adult psychiatric inpatients, Adolescent nonpatients

Key Features

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  The SCL-90-R test contains only 90 items and can be complete in just 12-15 minutes.


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  The test helps measure 9 primary symptom dimensions and is designed to provide an overview of a patient\’s symptoms and their intensity at a specific point in time.


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  The progress report graphically displays patient progress for up to 5 previous administrations.


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  By providing an index of symptom severity, the assessment helps facilitate treatment decisions and identify patients before problems become acute.


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  The Global Severity Index can be used as a summary of the test.


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  More than 1,000 studies have been conducted demonstrating the reliability, validity, and utility of the instrument.

Scales

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  Symptom Scales


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  SOM – Somatization


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  O-C – Obsessive-Compulsive


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  I-S – Interpersonal Sensitivity


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  DEP – Depression


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  ANX – Anxiety


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  HOS – Hostility


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  PHOB – Phobic Anxiety


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  PAR – Paranoid Ideation


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  PSY – Psychoticism

Global Indices

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  Global Severity Index (GSI): Designed to measure overall psychological distress.


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  Positive Symptom Distress Index (PSDI): Designed to measure the intensity of symptoms.


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  Positive Symptom Total (PST): Reports number of self-reported symptoms.

Norm GroupsAdapted from the SCL-90-R test, the revised test is normed on 4 groups:

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  Adult psychiatric outpatients


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  Adult nonpatients


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  Adult psychiatric inpatients


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  Adolescent nonpatients

The interpretive report is based on age-appropriate nonpatient norm groups; adolescent norms are used for 13- to 17-year olds, and nonpatient adult norms are used for subjects over age 17.

Report OptionsProfile Report (Product Number 51430)This report can be useful for monitoring change. It presents a graphic profile of raw and normalized T scores for each of the 9 Primary Symptom Dimensions and the 3 Global Indices. For adults, T scores are profiled based on your choice of nonpatient, outpatient or inpatient norms. (The T scores for the remaining norm groups are printed below the profile.) For adolescents, T scores are reported using adolescent nonpatient norms.

Interpretive Report (Product Number 51431)In addition to providing a profile of scores, the interpretive report provides a narrative overview of the client\’s symptoms at the global level and specific statements describing the individual symptom scale scores. The Pathognomonic Signs section of the report notes disorders that might be present given the pattern and intensity of symptom endorsement. A Symptoms of Note section lists all items to which the client responded \”extremely\” or \”quite a bit.\”

Progress Report (Product Number 51432)This report can help monitor a client\’s progress over time. It graphically displays scale-by-scale changes in a client\’s scores for up to 5 previously reported administrations.