Brief Description
The PEARLS - TEEN - Caregiver Report is an assessment tool designed to evaluate adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and social determinants of health (SDOH) for adolescents. The assessment is split into two parts. Part 1 focuses on ACEs, which include experiences like abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction (e.g., “Has your child ever lived with a parent/caregiver who went to jail/prison?”). Part 2 addresses SDOH, such as community violence, food insecurity, and housing instability (e.g., “Has your child ever been separated from their parent or caregiver due to foster care, or immigration?”). Responses are provided in Yes/No format. Screening for the presence of ACEs is important because they are strongly linked to mental and physical health outcomes and social issues.
Assessment Administration Type
Parent/Caregiver Report
Number of questions
19
Age Range for Administration
Parents of youth aged 12-19
Recommended Frequency of Administration
Developed to be given one time at intake as a screening tool.
Summary of Scoring and Interpretations
Responses on each item are provided in “yes/no” format, with “Yes” responses receiving 1 point and “No” responses receiving 0 points. Part 1 of the tool comprises the first 10 items. Part 2 is made up of the final 9 questions. Scoring the PEARLS - TEEN - Caregiver Report involves summing the "Yes" responses from Part 1 to create the child’s ACE score, which indicates the total number of ACEs experienced. ACE scores range from 0-10. Part 2 is scored by summing items 11-19 to assess social determinants of health that are or have been present in a teen’s life. Part 2 scores range from 0-9. Higher scores suggest a greater risk for health problems linked to ACEs, such as emotional or physical health conditions and chronic stress, and provide important insights into other social factors that may require intervention to support the child’s well-being. For teens with an ACE score of 4 or higher, consider providing regular care and regularly checking in to assess if they are facing emotional, social, or academic difficulties.
Blueprint Adjustments
N/A
Clinical Considerations
Estimated time for completion: 4-8 minutes
It is important to interpret ACE scores as probabilistic rather than deterministic; while a high score may increase risk, other factors like protective supports and individual resilience also play a role in determining a child’s health outcomes.
Related measures assessing for ACEs and SODHs are also available in the Blueprint assessment library, including:
PEARLS - TEEN - Caregiver Report (Spanish)
If scores differ when administering both a self-report and parent/caregiver report for the same teen, it is advisable to use the results with the higher number for interpretation and treatment purposes.
Citation
Relevant Articles + Further Resources
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