K-CAT Problem Identification Rating Scale (K-PIRS)
Identifying Problems and Tracking Progress of College Students in Counseling
Abstract
In today's university environment, counseling centers must respond to two pressure points:
- students who are struggling with severe emotional difficulties, and
- administrators who are making decisions about university budget cuts and belt tightening measures.
Agencies, therefore, need a standardized instrument that can be used for two purposes:
- to provide counselors with information useful in assessment and treatment planning, and
- to provide counseling center administrators with actuarial evidence demonstrating retention and success in college.
The K-PIRS is a proven instrument designed to meet these needs. It identifies college-student client concerns at the beginning of treatment and, when used with K-PIRS Form-B, assesses behavior change over time. The instrument uses multi-point scales to gather information about presenting symptoms, level of interference with functioning, and readiness to change.
An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on a derivation sample of university students who were active clients (N = 872). Internal consistency measures were adequate. Seven factors were revealed:
- Mood Difficulties (e.g., "Bored or unhappy with life")
- Learning Problems (e.g., "Though smart in many ways, at times I feel stupid")
- Food Concerns (e.g., "My eating habits")
- Interpersonal Conflicts (e.g., "Unsolved conflicts with others")
- Career Uncertainties (e.g., "Pressured by others to choose the right major")
- Self-Harm Indicators (e.g., "Recent thoughts of suicide")
- Substance/Addiction Issues (e.g, "Addiction concerns")
A confirmatory factor analysis performed on a replication sample of active clients (N = 879) supported the factor structure.
Test-retest reliability (one week) for the K-PIRS was statistically significant (p < .001) for all seven subscales.
Construct validity was tested on a non-clinical sample of university students (N = 234), and demonstrated significant correlations (p < .001) between the seven factors and other standardized instruments measuring the same constructs: Beck Depression Inventory-II, r = .76; Adult Learning Disability Screening, r = .48; Eating Attitudes Test-26, r = .63; Aggression Questionnaire, r = .45; Career Decision Profile, r = .51; Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation, r = .42; Questionnaire for Problem Drinkers r = .40.
Discriminant validity showed an inverse correlation with the Satisfaction with Life Scale.