The interactive symptoms assessment: I.S.A. – development and validation using a knowledge translation-integrated model

A Knowledge Translation Integrated (KTI) model was used to validate the Interactive Symptom Assessment (ISA). The aim of KTI methodology is to engage key potential knowledge-users at all stages of measure design and research, with the aim of enhancing the credibility, acceptability, feasibility, and sustainability of the measure. The ISA is an interactive video-based measure of mental health and well-being functioning across a wide variety of internalizing and externalizing domains for children ages 6 to 12. Through the current study, the measure was found to demonstrate credibility, as measured by face validity, content validity, and Cronbach’s internal consistency reliability (.88 long form, .83 short form; children ages 6 to 12). Further, the ISA demonstrated good criterion-related validity, as scores on this measure were significantly associated self-esteem and mental health. Children and mental health practitioners perceived the wording and design of the measure to be acceptable. Further, with regard to sustainability and feasibility, knowledge-users reported satisfaction with the questionnaire and mental health practitioners indicated the ISA might be useful in their clinical practices. However, participants in this study recommended that a short form of the ISA, as well as brief screening measures, be created so that the measure would be more feasible to use when repeated administration is required. Therefore, validity and reliability findings for both the ISA short and long form, as well as for brief screening measures of depressive, anxiety, and behavioral symptoms, are reported.