Evidence of the reliability and validity of the MAYSI-2 in a Spanish sample of minors serving therapeutic judicial measures

Authors

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6018/analesps.664291
Keywords: MAYSI-2, Mental health screening, Juvenile justice system, Therapeutic judicial measures, RNR model, Recidivism risk factors, Mental health needs, Responsivity principle, YLS/CMI

Supporting Agencies

  • This work is part of a broader research funded by the Dirección General de Protección a la Infancia y la Familia de la Consejería de Empleo, Políticas Sociales y Vivienda del Gobierno de Canarias (LRS2015MM0078; CMnº160/2015).

Abstract

The Spanish juvenile justice system provides for the assignment of therapeutic internment and outpatient treatment measures for cases with mental health needs. The purpose of this study is to provide evidence of internal consistency and validity of the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument: Second version (MAYSI-2), a screening instrument for mental health needs designed for juvenile justice and translated into several languages, including Spanish. The sample consisted of 126 Spanish adolescents, mostly male, between 15 and 21 years of age, who were serving therapeutic judicial measures. In addition to the Spanish translation of the MAYSI-2, the Spanish adaptations of the MACI and the YLS/CMI were applied. The results obtained support the use of the MAYSI-2 translation in the Spanish juvenile justice system, since the original seven-factor structure is replicated in the sample under study. Evidence was also found of convergent validity, with respect to the conceptually related scales of the MACI, and of divergent validity, regarding the risk factors of the YLS/CMI. Finally, evidence of discriminant validity was obtained, referring to the type of judicial therapeutic measure, the existence of a psychopathological diagnosis and the risk of recidivism.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Metrics
Views/Downloads
  • Abstract
    597
  • pdf
    403
  • pdf (Español (España))
    403

References

Aalsma, M. C., White, L. M., Lau, K. S. L., Perkins, A., Monahan, P., y Grisso, T. (2015). Behavioral health care needs, detention-based care, and criminal recidivism at community reentry from juvenile detention: A multisite survival curve analysis. American Journal of Public Health, 105(7), 1372-1378. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2014.302529

American Psychiatric Association (1995). Manual diagnóstico y estadístico de los trastornos mentales (DSM-IV) (4ª Ed). Masson.

Andrews, D. A., Bonta, J., y Wormith, S. J. (2006). The recent past and near future of risk and/or need assessment. Crime & Delinquency, 52(1), 7-27. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011128705281756

Archer, R. P., Simonds-Bisbee, E. C., Spiegel, D. R., Handel, R. W., y Elkins, D. E. (2010). Validity of the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-2 (MAYSI-2) scales in juvenile justice settings. Journal of Personality Assessment, 92(4), 337-348. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223891.2010.482009

Brown, S., y Rojas-Pérez, O. F. (2024). Juvenile justice-based interdisciplinary collective care: an innovative approach. Community mental health journal, 60(6), 1042-1054. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-024-01285-4

Coker, K. L., Wernsman, J., Ikpe, U. N., Brooks, J. S., Bushell, L. L., y Kahn, B. A. (2014). Using the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument–Version 2 on a community sample of African American and Latino/a juvenile offender to identify mental health and substance abuse treatment needs. Criminal justice and behavior,41(4), 492-511. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854813505565

Colins, O. F., y Grisso, T. (2019). The relation between mental health problems and future violence among detained male juveniles. Child and adolescent psychiatry and mental health, 13(4), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-014-9476-4

Colins, O., Grisso, T., Vahl, P., Guy, L., Mulder, E., Hornby, N., Pronk, C., Markus, M., Doreleijers, T., y Vermeiren, R. (2015). Standardized screening for mental health needs of detained youths from various ethnic origins: The Dutch Massachusetts youth screening instrument-second version (MAYSI-2). Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 37(3), 481-492. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-014-9476-4.

Dölitzsch, L., Leenarts, L. E. W., Schmeck, K., Fegert, J. M., Grisso, T., y Schmid, M. (2017). Diagnostic performance and optimal cut-off scores of the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-Second Version in a sample of Swiss youths in welfare and juvenile justice institutions. BMC Psychiatry, 17, 61. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-017-1197-2

Garrido, V., López, E., Silva, T., López. M.J. y Molina, P. (2006). El modelo de competencia social de la ley de Menores. Tirant lo Blanch.

Gaskin, J. E., Lowry, P. B., Rosengren, W., y Fife, P. T. (2025). Essential validation criteria for rigorous covariance‐based structural equation modelling. Information Systems Journal. https://doi.org/10.1111/isj.12598

Gouwy, M. C., Verbeke, L., Dierckx, K., Van Damme, L., Colins, O., y De Clercq, B. (2024). Toward a better understanding of gender differences in psychopathology in detained adolescents: The role of maladaptive personality traits. Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice, 24(3), 296-313. https://doi.org/10.1080/24732850.2022.2127345

Grisso T. (2004). Double jeopardy: Adolescent offenders with mental disorders. University of Chicago Press.

Grisso, T. (2008). Adolescent offenders with mental disorders. The future of children, 18 (2), 143-164. https://doi.org/10.1353/foc.0.0016

Grisso, T., y Barnum, R. (2006). Massachusetts youth screening instrument version 2: User’s manual and technical report. Professional Resource Press.

Grisso, T., Barnum, R., Fletcher, K. E., Cauffman, E., y Peuschold, D. (2001). Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument for mental health needs of juvenile justice youths. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 40(5), 541-548. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-200105000-00013

Grisso, T., Fusco, S., Paiva-Salisbury, M., Perrauot, R., Williams, V., y Barnum, R. (2012). The Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-Version 2 (MAYSI-2): Comprehensive research review. University of Massachusetts.

Grisso, T., Vincent, G., y Seagrave, D. (2005). Mental health screening and assessment in juvenile justice. Guilford Press.

Hay, C., Ladwig, S., y Campion, B. (2018). Tracing the rise of evidence-based juvenile justice in Florida. Victims & offenders, 13(3), 312-335. https://doi.org/10.1080/15564886.2017.1289995

Hoge, R. D., Andrews, D. A., y Leschied, A. W. (2002). Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory: User’s manual. Multi-Health Systems.

Hu, L., y Bentler P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling, 6(1), 1-55. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705519909540118

InForSANA (2012). Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-Version 2, MAYSI-2. Mini-manual estándar internacional. Versión española. University Medical Center.

Leenarts, L. E. W., Dölitzsch, C., Schmeck, K., Fegert, J. M., Grisso, T., y Schmid, M. (2016). Relationship between Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument second version and psychiatric disorders in youths in welfare and juvenile justice institutions in Switzerland. BMC Psychiatry, 16, 340. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-016-1032-1

Leverso, J., Ferraro, A. C., Fernandes, A. D., y Herting, J. R. (2023). Life course statuses of justice-involved youth transitioning to adulthood: Differences and change in offending and mental health. Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology, 9(2), 273-302. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40865-023-00226-1

Ley Orgánica 5/2000, de 12 de enero, reguladora de la responsabilidad penal de los menores. Boletín Oficial del Estado, 11, 1422-144. https://www.boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-A-2000-641

López-Pina, J. A., y Veas, A. (2024). Validation of psychometric instruments with classical test theory in social and health sciences: a practical guide. Anales de Psicología/Annals of Psychology, 40(1), 163-170. https://doi.org/10.6018/analesps.583991

Lorenzo-Latorre, S., Andreu Rodríguez, J. M. y de la Peña Fernández, M. E. (2025). Victimización, polivictimización e ideación suicida en los adolescentes pertenecientes al sistema de justicia juvenil. Anuario de Psicología Jurídica. https://doi.org/10.5093/apj2025a13

Louden, J. E., Kang, T., Ricks, E. P., y Marquez, L. (2017). Using the MAYSI-2 to identify mental disorder among Latino juvenile offenders. Psychological Assessment, 29(6), 727-739. http://doi.org/10.1037/pas0000399

Magalhães, E., y Camilo, C. (2023). Maltreatment history and internalizing and externalizing symptoms in out-of-home care: A three-level meta-analysis. European Journal of Psychology Applied to Legal Context, 15(2), 89-103. https://doi.org/10.5093/ejpalc2023a10

Martín, A. M., De la Fuente, L., Hernández, A., Zaldívar, F., Ortega-Campos, E., y García-García, J. (2022). Psychosocial profile of juvenile and adult offenders who acknowledge having committed child-to-parent violence. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(1), 601. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010601

Martín, A. M., Pugliese, A., y Vera, A. (2025). Las necesidades de salud mental en justicia juvenil: mitos, evidencia y pautas de intervención. En M. J. Rodrigo, M. Rosales y J. C. Martín (Coords.), Intervenir y mediar en el ámbito familiar y sociocomunitario desde el enfoque de la parentalidad positiva (Cap.16, págs. 383-404). Tirant lo Blanch.

McCormick, S., Peterson-Badali, M., y Skilling, T. A. (2017). The role of mental health and specific responsivity in juvenile justice rehabilitation. Law and human behavior, 41(1), 55-67. https://doi.org/10.1037/lhb0000228

Millon, T. (1990). Toward a new personology. An evolutionary model. Wiley.

Millon, T. (1993). Manual of Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory. NCS.

Millon, T. (2004). MACI: Inventario Clínico para Adolescentes de Millon. Manual. TEA.

Moreno, C., y Andrés-Pueyo, A. (2014). Estudi exploratori de l’aplicació del MAYSI-2 en la població de Justícia Juvenil a Catalunya. GEAV Universitat de Barcelona.

Nagel, A., Guarnera, L., y Reppucci, N. (2016). Adolescent development, mental disorders, and decision making in delinquent youths. En K. Heilbrun, D. DeMatteo, y N. Goldstein (Comps.), APA handbook of psychology and juvenile justice (págs. 117–138). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/14643-006

Puente-López, E., Pina, D., Daugherty, J.C., Pérez-García, M., y Merten, T. (2024). Simulación y validez de la información de síntomas psicopatológicos en España: conceptos, métodos y desafíos. Revista Iberoamericana de Psicología y Salud, 15(2), 66-79. https://doi.org/10.23923/j.rips.2024.02.077

Quevedo-Blasco, R., Pérez, M. J., Guillén-Riquelme, A., y Hess, T. (2023). Civil liability for clinical misdiagnosis of suicidal intention: Procedure and guidelines to minimize fatal diagnostic error. European Journal of Psychology Applied to Legal Context, 15(2), 73-81. https://doi.org/10.5093/ejpalc2023a8

Russell, J. D., Marsee, M. A., y Ryals, J. S. (2017). Identifying mental health issues in detained youth: Testing the structure and invariance of the Massachusetts Youth Screening Inventory–Version 2 (MAYSI-2). Psychological Assessment, 29 (6), 720-726. http://doi.org/10.1037/pas0000410

Sainero, A., del Valle, J. F., y Bravo, A. (2015). Detección de problemas de salud mental en un grupo especialmente vulnerable: niños y adolescentes en acogimiento residencial. Anales de Psicología, 31(2), 472-480. http://doi.org/10.6018/analesps.31.2.182051

Shaffer, C., Gulbransen, E., Viljoen, J., Roesch, R., y Douglas, K. (2018). Predictive validity of the MAYSI-2 and PAI-A for suicide-related behavior and nonsuicidal self-injury among adjudicated adolescent offenders on probation. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 45 (9), 1383-1403. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854818784988

Swank, J. M., y Gagnon, J. C. (2017). A national survey of mental health screening and assessment practices in juvenile correctional facilities. Child and Youth Care Forum, 46, 379-393. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-016-9379-5

Unal, I. (2017). Defining an optimal cut-point value in ROC analysis: An alternative approach. Computational and Mathematical Methods in Medicine, 3762651. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/3762651

Underwood, L., y Washington, A. (2016). Mental illness and juvenile offenders. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(2), 228. http://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13020228

Vincent, G. M., Grisso, T., Terry, A., y Banks, S. (2008). Sex and race differences in mental health symptoms in juvenile justice: The MAYSI-2 national meta-analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 47(3), 282-290. https://doi.org/10.1097/chi.0b013e318160d516

Williams, M. M., Rogers, R., y Hartigan, S. E. (2019). Dimensions of psychopathology and behavioral problems: A CFA study of the MAYSI-2 scales in legally involved juveniles. Translational Issues in Psychological Science, 5(2), 143-153. http://doi.org/10.1037/tps0000189

Zannella, L., Louden, J.E., Kennealy, P., y Kang, T. (2018). Psychometric properties of the MAYSI-2 among Latino adolescent offenders. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 45(8), 1252-1268. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854818774380

Published
05-08-2025
How to Cite
Pugliese, A., Hess-Medler, S., & Martín, A. M. (2025). Evidence of the reliability and validity of the MAYSI-2 in a Spanish sample of minors serving therapeutic judicial measures. Anales De Psicología Annals of Psychology, 41(3), 278–289. https://doi.org/10.6018/analesps.664291
Issue
Section
Contributions of psychology to judicial issues

Similar Articles

<< < 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.