Convergent and discriminant validity of the internalizing symptoms scale for children

The Internalizing Symptoms Scale for Children (ISSC) is a relatively new se lf report measure designed to assess the bread domain of internalizing prob lems of children and to integrate the two- and three-factor models of affec t proposed by Watson, Clark, and colleagues (cf. Watson & Clark, 1992). To date, limited research has been conducted investigating the performance of the negative affect/general dic tress and positive affect dimensions of the ISSC. The present research investigated convergent and discriminant validi ty coefficients between domain-specific self-report (RCDS, RCMAS, SSRS) and peer-report (PNID) measures with both the ISSC total and subscale scores. Validity coefficients support the continued use of the ISSC total score as a measure of distress that compares favorably with other commonly used meas ures. Correlations between ISSC subscales and other self-report measures in dicate that the relationships between positive affect and negative affect a nd anxiety and depression proposed in the adult literature may also apply t o children. Implications for clinical practice and future research are disc ussed.