Prospective Field Validation of the START:AV in a Dutch Secure Youth Care Sample. (April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: De Beuf, Tamara L. F.; de Vogel, Vivienne; Broers, Nick J.; de Ruiter, Corine
• Is Part Of: Assessment. Volume 30:Number 3(2023)
• Page Start: 633
• Page End: 650
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Subjects: START:AV -- risk assessment -- field validity -- predictive validity -- adolescent -- strengths -- adverse outcomes; Psychological tests -- Periodicals; Psychodiagnostics -- Periodicals; Personality tests -- Periodicals; 150.287
• DOI: 10.1177/10731911211063228
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1073-1911

Abstract

The Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability: Adolescent Version (START:AV) is a risk assessment instrument for adolescents that estimates the risk of multiple adverse outcomes. Prior research into its predictive validity is limited to a handful of studies conducted with the START:AV pilot version and often by the instrument's developers. The present study examines the START:AV's field validity in a secure youth care sample in the Netherlands. Using a prospective design, we investigated whether the total scores, lifetime history, and the final risk judgments of 106 START:AVs predicted inpatient incidents during a 4-month follow-up. Final risk judgments and lifetime history predicted multiple adverse outcomes, including physical aggression, institutional violations, substance use, self-injury, and victimization. The predictive validity of the total scores was significant only for physical aggression and institutional violations. Hence, the short-term predictive validity of the START:AV for inpatient incidents in a residential youth care setting was partially demonstrated and the START:AV final risk judgments can be used to guide treatment planning and decision-making regarding furlough or discharge in this setting.