Abstract
The Ohio Youth Problem, Functioning, and Satisfaction Scales - Short Form (Ohio Scales) assesses child/youth outcomes from multiple perspectives (agency worker, parent/caregiver, and youth). Using data collected from the California Department of Mental Health Children and Youth Performance Outcome System Pilot Study, this thesis used exploratory factor analyses to further investigate the psychometric properties for two of the Ohio Scales: Functioning and Problem Severity. Similar to previous studies, no clear subscales were identified for the Functioning scale and three subscales were identified for the Problem Severity scale (Externalizing, Internalizing, and Delinquency). Correlation analyses showed that respondents provided consistent ratings for the children/youth who were evaluated, that the Problem Severity subscales captured different information related to child/youth problematic behavior, and that the scales assessed two different constructs related to child/youth behavior. A multivariate analysis of variance revealed significant differences between the respondent ratings, providing support for the importance of gathering information from multiple perspectives. Finally, construct validity was demonstrated by correlating the Ohio Scales - Short Form Functioning Scale and Problem Severity subscales to the Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS).