Description

The Youth At Risk Screening Questionnaire (YAR) is an assessment tool designed to identify young individuals at risk of developing mental health disorders or other social problems. The questionnaire aims to provide early warning signs that indicate the need for support and intervention in youth. Below is a detailed overview of its purpose, structure, scoring, and related bibliography.

Purpose

The main objectives of the Youth At Risk Screening Questionnaire are:
Early risk identification: To detect youth who may be at risk of developing mental health disorders or related issues.
Support and intervention: To guide appropriate intervention strategies that provide support to youth and their families.
Progress monitoring: To provide data for evaluating the effectiveness of support or intervention programs.

Structure and Content

The YAR includes questions that assess various domains of risk, such as:
Behavioral issues: Records behaviors that may indicate risk, such as delinquency, anger outbursts, or antisocial tendencies.
Emotional state: Assesses emotional problems including depression, anxiety, and mood swings.
Academic performance: Evaluates school performance, attendance, and participation in school activities.
Family relationships: Assesses the quality of family relationships, including conflicts and support.
Social relationships: Measures the quality of peer relationships and level of social support.
Responses are provided on a Likert scale, typically ranging from 4 to 5 points, to reflect the frequency or intensity of concerns in each domain.

Scoring

Scoring in the YAR includes:
Total risk score: A general estimation of the youth’s overall level of risk.
Subscales: Scores for specific risk domains, helping to pinpoint particular areas of concern.
These scores can be used to develop personalized intervention strategies and to track the effectiveness of support programs over time.

References

Jessor, R., Donovan, J. E., & Costa, F. M. (1991). Beyond Adolescence: Problem Behavior and Young Adult Development. Cambridge University Press.
Grisso, T., Vincent, G., & Seagrave, D. (2005). Mental Health Screening and Assessment in Juvenile Justice. The Guilford Press.
Winters, K. C., & Leitten, W. (2007). Brief Intervention for Adolescents: A Harm Reduction Approach. The Guilford Press.