Initial Validation of the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms-62 for the Autistic College Population

Abstract

Internal validity and measurement invariance of the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms-62 item (CCAPS-62) was examined via confirmatory factor analytic models among autistic (n = 1,268) and non-autistic (n = 3,776) college students. Findings reviewed the CCAPS-62 had a strong model fit and was invariant across groups.

Keywords:

• Autism
• mental health
• assessment

Acknowledgments

We thank the Center for Collegiate Mental Health for their support in accessing the dataset and providing technical assistance.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author (JM), upon reasonable request.

Disclosure Statement

This study was funded with a grant from the National Research Consortium on Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Additional information

Funding

Partially funded by J.P. Morgan Chase & Company (PI: Brian Freedman, Ph.D.) and National Research Consortium on Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (PI: Brian Freedman, Ph.D.).

Notes on contributors

Jessica L. Monahan

Jessica L. Monahan, PhD, is a researcher, advocate, and educator committed to improving outcomes for people with disabilities through meaningful, collaborative research. She is currently the Research Manager for Spectrum Scholars, an autism support initiative through the Center for Disabilities Studies at the University of Delaware. She also holds a secondary appointment as an Assistant Professor in the School of Education.

Brian Freedman

Brian Freedman, PhD, is the Director of the Swank Autism Center at Nemours Children’s Health where he oversees clinical services, research, training, and community collaboration. Brian is a clinical psychologist and a core faculty member for Delaware’s Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program.

Vini Singh

Vini Singh, MPH, is a Staff Scientist at Kennedy Krieger Institute. Vini’s primary interest lies in the application of statistical methods to understand clinical outcomes and measurement in mental health clinics.

Luke Kalb

Luther (Luke) Kalb, PhD, is Director of Informatics at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders and the Department of Neuropsychology at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. He also holds the title of Assistant Professor in the Department of Mental Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Cassidy Edmondson

Cassidy Edmondson, MA, is a third-year student in the School Psychology Graduate Program at the University of Delaware. She also serves as the research graduate assistant for Spectrum Scholars, an autism support initiative in the Center for Disabilities Studies at the University of Delaware.