Achenbach Youth Self Report Forms

The Youth Self-Report (YSR) is one of a family of screening tools for behavioural and emotional problems in children and adolescents. This factsheet describes the assessment and how to order this tool.

The YSR is part of the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessments (ASEBA). It is completed by the child or adolescent, whereas the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) is completed by parents and the Teacher’s Report Form (TRF) by teachers.

It is recommended for use only with children 11 years and older. Like the CBCL and the TRF, the YSR yields scores on eight empirically derived syndrome scales:

• anxious/depressed
• withdrawn/depressed
• somatic complaints
• social problems
• thought problems
• attention problems
• rule-breaking behaviour
• aggressive behaviour.

These group into two higher order factors: internalizing and externalizing. The 2001 revision also added six DSM-oriented scales consistent with DSM diagnostic categories:

• affective problems
• anxiety problems
• somatic problems
• ADHD
• oppositional defiant problems
• conduct problems.

The YSR and the CBCL are also scored on (optional) competence scales for activities, social relations, school and total competence.