Encyclopedia of Psychology and Law

scores based on the optimal balance between

sensitivity and specificity in identifying youths in this

sample with clinical elevations on the Millon Adolescent

Clinical Inventory and the Youth Self-Report.

Researchers cross-validated the MAYSI–2 factor

structure and indices of internal consistency using a

sample of more than 4,000 juveniles from California.

Recent studies reported almost identical factor struc-

tures using confirmatory factor analytic techniques.

Reliability and Validity

MAYSI–2 scales have acceptable internal consistency,

with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranging from .61

(TD scale) to .86 (ADU scale). Alpha coefficients are

comparable between genders and racial groups (with

a few exceptions) and have been replicated across

studies. Test-retest reliability estimates (intraclass

correlation coefficients), based on comparisons of

MAYSI–2 scores soon after admission to a detention

facility to scores 5 to 8 days, later range from .53 (SC

scale) to .89 (AI scale).

The national norm study for the MAYSI–2 found

that girls were 1.5 to 2.3 times as likely as boys to

score above the Caution on every scale except the

ADU scale. This finding was consistent across more

than 200 juvenile justice settings from around the

United States regardless of youths’ age, race, or legal

status. Also consistent was that Whites had higher

odds of meeting Caution on the SI, SC, and ADU

scales than Blacks or Hispanics.

Concurrent validity studies show that MAYSI–2

scales correlate with other adolescent mental health

scales in the expected direction. However, most

MAYSI–2 scales do not map directly onto diagnostic

scales of other measures. This is likely because

MAYSI–2 scales are primarily heterotypic and measure

symptoms that would span multiple diagnoses

(e.g., anger). Predictive validity studies indicate that

MAYSI–2 scores predict several institutional outcomes

such as institutional violence, lengthier sentences, staff

interventions, and service provision. Pre-post studies

indicate that adoption of the MAYSI–2 in detention

facilities can significantly decrease violent incidents,

suicide attempts, and other areas of maladjustment.

Future Research

Some issues could benefit from further research.

First, it is unknown how long MAYSI–2 scores can be

considered valid. MAYSI–2 scores were not intended

to have long-term stability given the items measure

acute symptoms, which are expected to fluctuate.

Second, it is unclear how the timing of MAYSI–2

administration may affect scores. Evidence suggests

that youths receiving it within the first few hours of

admission have lower scores than those taking it a day

or two later. Finally, the developers should report on

the psychometric properties of the Spanish-language

version as data become available.

Gina M. Vincent

See alsoJuvenile Offenders; Mental Health Needs of

Juvenile Offenders

Further Readings

Grisso, T., & Barnum, R. (2006). Massachusetts Youth

Screening Instrument–-Version 2: User’s manual and

technical report. Sarasota, FL: Professional Resource Press.

Grisso, T., Barnum, R., Fletcher, K. E., Cauffman, E., &

Peuschold, D. (2001). Massachusetts Youth Screening

Instrument for mental health needs of juvenile justice

youths. Journal of the American Academy of Child &

Adolescent Psychiatry, 40(5), 541–548.

Grisso, T., & Quinlan, J. C. (2005). Massachusetts Youth

Screening Instrument—Version 2. In T. Grisso,

G. Vincent, & D. Seagrave (Eds.),Mental health

screening and assessment in juvenile justice (pp. 99–111).

New York: Guilford Press.

MASTER’SPROGRAMS IN

PSYCHOLOGY ANDLAW

The field of psychology and law (i.e., forensic psy-

chology) has witnessed tremendous growth in the past

40 years in both academic and professional realms.

While many of the early clinicians engaged in foren-

sic practice did not receive specialized training prior

to assuming their role within a forensic setting, grad-

uate training in forensic psychology, or psychology

and law, has attempted to address this need. The num-

ber of programs offering graduate-level forensic psy-

chology training has exponentially increased in the

past 30 years, such that future generations of forensic

practitioners will have received specialized course

work and practical/research experiences that will only

Master’s Programs in Psychology and Law——— 479

M-Cutler (Encyc)-45463.qxd 11/18/2007 12:43 PM Page 479