Psychometric Characteristics of the Postconcussion Symptom Inventory in Children and Adolescents

Psychometric characteristics of the Postconcussion Symptom Inventory (PCSI) were examined in both concussed (n=633) and uninjured (n=1,273) 5 to 18 year olds. Parent-and self-report forms were created with developmentally appropriate wording and content. Factor analyses identified physical, cognitive, emotional, and sleep factors; that did not load strongly or discriminate between groups were eliminated. Internal consistency was strong for the total scales (alpha = 0.8-0.9). Test-retest reliability for the self-report forms was moderate to strong (intraclass coeffecients, ICCs = 0.65-0.89). Parent and self-report concordance was moderate (r=.44-. 65), underscoring the importance of both perspectives. Convergent validity with another symptom measure was good (r=.8). Classification analyses indicated greater discriminability from parent report, but caveats to this are presented. With strong psychometric characteristics, the four versions of the PCSI capture important post-concussion symptoms and can be utilized to track recovery from pediatric concussion and guide treatment recommendations.