The factorial structure and consistency of the SCL‐90‐R dimensions were investigated in adult (90 male, 94 female) and adolescent (93 male, 120 female) admissions to a crisis intervention unit by means of principal components analysis. All four samples of subjects demonstrated one large factor, which accounted for 66 to 70% of the variance. Second factors in each sample contributed insignificant variance. Factorial invariance across male, female, and adult, adolescent samples was observed. Results suggest the SCL‐90‐R to be a unidimensional measure in a crisis context. Appropriateness of profile scores within such a context is discussed.

Systems of crisis intervention are frequently difficult to operationalize; they are often described as crisis components rather than systems, fail to differentiate levels of crisis acuity, provide very limited fundamental utilization data, and are almost exclusively implemented in urban areas. A system of rural crisis intervention differentiating levels of acuity and fundamental utilization information was profiled. Implications for clinicians and administrators are presented. This system of crisis intervention was highly effective in reducing inpatient utilization with the help of crisis residential beds and partial hospitalization. Mobile response was infrequently used in this setting. Age and gender were important variables in mental health emergency situations. Use of acute crisis level services was rarely more than once. More systematic descriptions of crisis systems of care were encouraged.

Few measurements have been developed to aid clinicians in mental health crisis assessment. Authors developed clinical dimensions from both experienced, licensed professionals working in crisis and salient characteristics of individuals presented to a crisis service located in a community mental health center. Five criteria, combined with a standard assessment protocol, were rated by 15 licensed professionals. These five criteria were tested as plausible dimensions for future measurement development. Clinical ratings by licensed professionals on 618 episodes of crisis over an 18-month period were analyzed to determine the latent structure and predictive potential of triage dispositions. The five criteria and a composite total were predictive of differential triage dispositions. An exploratory factor analysis indicated a two-factor model, which we termed ''self-destructive mood'' and ''perturbation.'' Future development of this model and future refinement of this measure are discussed. [Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention 8:304-312 (2009)] KEY WORDS: crisis measurement, psychometric characteristics, community mental health.

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Basic Personality Inventory profiles of 95 male and 118 female adolescent admissions to a crisis intervention unit were subjected to a cluster analytic procedure. For both males and females, four subgroups were identified: Mental Health Maladjustment, Interpersonal Maladjustment, High-risk Rebellion, and Adjustment. Subgroups differed significantly on alternative markers of psychopathology (SCL-90-R and Diagnoses). Subgroups identified were consistent with groupings identified previously. The subgroups also corresponded with broad-band syndromes that are conventional within the literature on adolescent psychopathology. Subgroup characteristics and implications for adolescent assessment are discussed.