HEADS-ED: Translation and Adaptation of a Mental Health Pathology Screening Scale in Portuguese Adolescents

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: HEADS-ED (Home; Education; Activities and Peers; Drugs and Alcohol; Suicidality; Emotions, Behaviors and Thought Disturbance; Discharge Resource) scale was created in Canada, to detect mental pathology in the pediatric emergency department. In Portugal, a validated scale with this intention still does not exist. The objective was to create a Portuguese instrument to triage psychological, behavioral and social problems in adolescents hospitalized.
METHODS: Prospective, transversal, non-randomized study developed in the pediatric ward of a level II hospital. It comprised 4 phases: 1) Translation and adaptation of HEADS-ED scale to Portuguese; 2) Pilot study to validate the scale to Portuguese population; 3) Systematic interview to adolescents and their specialized referral according to their needs; 4) Statistical analysis.
RESULTS: Ninety-six interviews were realized, 55% feminine sex, average age of 15 years old, 45% with a chronical illness. Thirteen patients had punctuation ?5. Referral was established in 19.8% of the adolescents: 6.3% to psychology/ psychiatry appointment, 8.3% to NHACJR, in 5.2% previous follow-up was improved. There was statistically significant relation between higher age and higher total points (p-value=0.004) and between feminine gender and higher total points (p-value=0.005).
CONCLUSION: HEADS-ED scale adapted to Portuguese intends to screen mental pathology in adolescent, having potential to improve their follow-up and future life quality.