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Psychometric Properties of Concise Associated Symptom Tracking (CAST) Scale in Youths and Young Adults: Findings from the Texas Youth Depression and Suicide Research Network (TX-YDSRN)

Research Publication Document

  • List Description

    Jha, M.K., Minhajuddin, A., Slater, H., Mayes, T.L., Blader, J.C., Brown, R., Garza, C., Kennard, B.D., Riddle, D., Storch, E.A., Shotwell, J., Soutullo, C.A., Wakefield, S.M., & Trivedi, M.H. (2023). Psychometric properties of Concise Associated Symptom Tracking (CAST) scale in youths and young adults: Findings from the Texas youth depression and suicide research network (TX-YDSRN). Journal of Psychiatric Research, 161, 179–187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.03.020

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    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.03.020
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The Concise Associated Symptom Tracking (CAST) is a 16-item scale that was developed over a decade ago to measure changes in depression-associated symptoms of irritability, anxiety, mania, panic, and insomnia. Despite being validated in adults, this study is the first attempt to assess its utility in youth and young adult populations. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a scale with 12 items in this population, dropping the mania items from the scale. Correlations to symptom-specific items on other validated instruments such as the PHQ-A, GAD-7, IDS-SR, CHRT, PROMIS, and SCARED showed the CAST-12 to be a valid scale for measuring these symptoms in those aged 8-20 years. Given that these symptoms may be associated with depression treatment outcomes, it is crucial to measure them throughout the treatment process, and the CAST-12 is one such tool for doing so.

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