The MAYSI-2 was designed "to identify those youths who are most seriously at

risk of mental and emotional disturbances" (Grisso and Barnum, 2000, p. 32). The

authors of this instrument provided "Caution" and "Warning" cutoff levels for scores on

each subscale. The caution level was defined as having "possible clinical significance,"

while the warning level indicates those adolescents with the greatest need for clinical

intervention (Grisso and Barnum, p. 27).

 The mean levels for this study did not reach even cautionary levels except for the

somatic complaints due to anxiety subscale. Thirteen percent of this sample met the

warning level criteria for somatic complaints due to anxiety. Fourteen percent and 11%

respectively were in the warning range on the depression/anxiety and angry/irritable

subscales respectively. Less than 1% met the warning level for alcohol/drug use.

 The results of the alcohol/drug use measure (over 50% with a score of zero)

indicate that this measure may not be an appropriate measure of substance use for this

age group in a school-based sample. This subscale measures frequent use of substances

and the potential for serious difficulties with substances (e.g., dependence). A more

appropriate measure for middle-school students might instead measure experimentation

or infrequent use. However, reports of any presence of problems due to substance use in

this age range may predict future difficulties in this domain. Longitudinal studies are

necessary to determine the significance of these findings.

 Mentoring

 The majority of adolescents reported the presence of a natural mentor. This

validates earlier findings that have found natural mentoring relationships to be a part of

normative development (Beam et al., 2002). The majority of the mentoring relationships

were stable and consistent. The adolescents also reported a fairly high level of trust in