The CCH Consumer Outcome Scales: A Brief Instrument to Assess the Multiple Problems of Homelessness

Abstract

Homeless persons are underresearched; existing instruments do not adequately address this population. Clinical experts developed a brief instrument to assess housing, employment, benefits, physical health, mental health, and substance use that was tested for its psychometric properties. The instrument demonstrated content validity based on expert consensus, adequate interrater reliability (average r = .58), convergent and divergent validity with established measures, freedom from social desirability bias (average r = .00 with the Marlowe-Crowne scale), criterion-related validity for housing (85% accurate) and employment (83% accurate) items, and no floor effects. The benefits item had poorer psychometrics. The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) Consumer Outcome Scales are recommended for assessment and service planning with homeless individuals. Further research is needed on the instrument’s sensitivity to change over time and applicability to diverse cultural groups.