Assessing the YAM-5 and PeSSKi questionnaires as tools for mental health screening in migrant children ages 7-12 years living on the Thailand-Myanmar border

Abstract Background Migrant children face worse health outcomes due to structural inequalities and stressors specific to migratory status. In Southeast Asia, there are limited data regarding the prevalence of mental health disorders and symptoms of stress within the paediatric migrant population. Screening tools such as the Youth Anxiety Measure for DSM-5 (YAM-5) and the Perceived Stress Scale for Kids (PeSSKi) have been validated in non-migrant populations. They may offer a practical means of detecting symptoms of mental health disorders or childhood stress. However, their suitability first must be assessed in Southeast Asian migrant communities before studies on validation can be performed. Methods We conducted cognitive interviews and semi-structured interviews to assess the understanding and applicability of these two tools amongst migrant children from Myanmar aged 7–12 years living in Northwest Thailand along the Myanmar border. Results Interviews with 10 children indicated a good level of understanding of most ofthe surveys’ contents, with 21 of the 28 questions on YAM-5 and 7 of the 10 PeSSKi questions needing no further clarification in any session. Four themes emerged from analysis of the semi-structured interviews: areas of uncertainty, understanding of the purpose of the questionnaires, sources of fear and anxiety and attitudes to mental wellbeing. Observational analysis of children’s behaviour during participation suggested the surveys were engaging and useable. Conclusions The YAM-5 and PeSKKi screening surveys are suitable for migrant children living along the Thailand-Myanmar border. These tools must next be validated to assess their psychometric properties and internal consistency and reliability in the same population. Trial registration Thai Clinical Trials Registry, HCR23005, registered on 02 May 2023.