PATHOS: A Screening Instrument for Adolescent Overdose: A Research Note

Abstract

This author, in a previous study, devised post-hoc a five-question screening instrument, PATHOS, that identified a high-risk group within adolescent overdose. This study examines the concurrent validity of PATHOS, with measures of depression, hopelessness, premeditation and suicidal intent in adolescents presenting with an overdose. Strong correlations were found with the above features as well as problem duration and previous overdose history. The PATHOS was able also to identify a high-risk group with a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 57% and all misclassifications were false positive. It is suggested that this could be used as an aid for non-psychiatric assessors.