Construct validity, sensitivity and specificity of the USCD Performance-based Skill Assessment 2 in a mixed Portuguese sample

Hum Psychopharmacol. 2020 Jul;35(4):e2735. doi: 10.1002/hup.2735. Epub 2020 May 6.

Abstract

Assessment batteries of functional capacity provide robust indicators of real-world functioning in major psychiatric illnesses and important information on an individual's ability to live autonomously and pursue relevant psychosocial goals.

Objectives: This study explores the psychometric properties of the Portuguese USCD Performance-based Skill Assessment 2 (UPSA-2-PT) in a mixed sample of Portuguese participants.

Method: A sample of 110 participants, 37 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, 27 first-degree relatives of patients and 46 controls were administered the UPSA-2-PT and self-report questionnaires. The UPSA-2-PT reliability was assessed through inter-rater reliability and internal consistency, convergent validity with community integration and a receiver operating curve analysis was conducted to establish scores' sensitivity and specificity. Youden's Index was used to determine an optimal UPSA-2-PT cutoff score.

Results: Findings show an excellent inter-rater reliability, good internal consistency and construct validity, consistent with previous studies in Western countries. The UPSA-2-PT also showed a good discriminant ability between patients and controls, and an overall percentage of correct classification of 86.7% based on the 81.59 cutoff.

Discussion: Findings are congruous with previous versions, strengthening the body of evidence supporting the construct validity and providing a useful tool for research and clinical purposes to practitioners.

Keywords: UPSA-2; diagnostic utility; functional assessment; performance-based; schizophrenia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Family / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Observer Variation
  • Portugal
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Schizophrenia / physiopathology*
  • Schizophrenic Psychology*
  • Self Report
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*
  • Young Adult