Relational V-code conditions in a child and adolescent population do warrant treatment.

It is often argued that relational V-code conditions are less serious than classical psychiatric disorders, and that they should therefore receive lower clinical priority or diminished levels of treatment funding. Despite these common assertions, there have been virtually no studies that have used actual case data to evaluate whether such problems are in fact less serious and less worthy of treatment funding. We used actual case data from a universally funded child and family clinic to evaluate these questions. Results showed that both classical diagnoses and relational problems were significantly related to markers of clinical severity. As with previous research, family therapy was not differentially associated with a larger number of treatment sessions.

Equivalence of computerized and standard administration of the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale.

Two hundred seventy-nine 8- to 17-year-old children and adolescents were randomly assigned to complete paper-and-pencil or computer-administered versions of the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale. The equivalence of these two administration modes was assessed by evaluating the comparability of scale means, variances, reliabilities, and validities. Results indicate that, of 27 comparisons, only 1 produced a statistically significant difference. We concluded that the computerized administration of the Piers-Harris scale did not affect its psychometric properties and that paper-and-pencil and computerized modes of testing for this questionnaire may be regarded as equivalent.