Internal Validation Of The Latvian Version Of 16-Item Prodromal
Questionnaire In A Help-Seeking Adolescent Population: Psychometric
Analysis And Associated Factors
Abstract
Objectives: The prodromal phase of a psychotic disorder is a
period of altered functioning before the onset of the acute state;
several interviews have been developed to determine whether individuals
present with prodromal symptoms. The 16-item Prodromal Questionnaire
(PQ-16) is a screening tool for evaluating those at risk of developing a
psychotic disorder. The study aimed to evaluate the psychometric
properties of the Latvian version of the PQ-16 in a sample of
help-seeking adolescents referred for diagnostic assessment and look for
possible associated socio-demographic and health-related factors.
Methods: A cross-sectional study included patients admitted for
evaluation between November 2022 and February 2023 in Riga’s Children’s
Clinical University Hospital Child Psychiatry clinic. The data were
collected during outpatient consultations by mental health
professionals. We used the Latvian translation of PQ-16 and the
socio-demographic and health-related factors questionnaire. Data were
analyzed with IBM SPSS 28; the scale’s diagnostic accuracy and internal
validity were examined. Results: The study involved 107
adolescents aged 12 to 17, 80.5% female, with a mean age of 14.98 (CI
14.70-15.26). Socio-demographic data and health-related variables did
not significantly differ between the sexes (p>.05). The
Latvian PQ-16 demonstrated excellent internal reliability with a
Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.890. All 16 items were found to be valid with
p<.001. A significant number of participants (73.8%) scored
above the current cut-off of ≥6 with a mean of 9.17 (95% CI 8.41-9.93).
Certain socio-demographic factors, such as female gender
(p<.001), fair school performance (p=.048), and recent changes
in school performance (p<.001), demonstrated a significant
association with higher scores. Additionally, there were found
significant associations between positive screening and health-related
factors such as obstetric complications (p=.044), smoking (p=.002),
alcohol consumption (p=.021), history of bullying in school
(p<.001), and emotional abuse at home (p=.011).
Conclusions: Latvian translation of PQ-16 showed high internal
reliability and validity levels. Positive PQ-16 screening was associated
with female gender, worsened school performance, obstetric
complications, substance abuse, and experienced emotional violence. The
average score of 9.17 positive answers and 73.8% of participants
screening positive for attenuated psychotic symptoms is significantly
higher than in recent studies under similar conditions.