The Pediatric Symptom Checklist: Comparison of symptom profiles using three factor structures between pediatric gastroenterology and general pediatric patients

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated and compared three different factor structures of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC) in a gastroenterology (GI) and a general pediatrics (GP) sample. Parents of GP (n = 169) and GI (n = 177) patients completed the PSC. Each structure includes internalizing, externalizing, and attention problems. Only one structure includes school problems. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed higher internalizing symptoms for GI patients across factor structures. The relationship between internalizing symptoms and age was moderated by group. The PSC seems sensitive to internalizing difficulties in GI patients regardless of factor structure. Older pediatric GI patients may be at increased risk for internalizing symptoms.