Social, emotional, and behavioral screening: A comparison of two measures and two methods across informants

Ryan J. Kettler, Kelly A. Feeney-Kettler, Leah Dembitzer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

The current study is a correlational design comparing a multiple-gate social, emotional, and behavioral (SEB) screening system with a single-gate SEB screening system using a common criterion variable. Teachers and parents of 105 preschool students completed the multiple-gate Preschool Behavior Screening System (PBSS; Feeney-Kettler, Kratochwill, & Kettler, 2009) and the single-gate Behavioral and Emotional Screening System (BESS; Kamphaus & Reynolds, 2007). The measures were evaluated using Cronbach's alpha, Pearson correlations with each other, and conditional probability indices to represent accuracy in predicting scores from the Achenbach System for Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA; Achenbach & Rescorla, 2000). Results indicated the PBSS was internally consistent (α = 0.87 to 0.97), teacher-parent agreement for both measures was in the expected range (r = 0.05 to 0.40), and relations among scores from the measures were at the expected magnitudes and in the expected directions. Although both measures accurately predicted ASEBA results, the BESS was a better predictor for both groups of raters (i.e., teachers and parents) in most situations. The PBSS provided the advantage of also being a good predictor while providing internally consistent subscale scores that may be useful for intervention planning. The results are discussed including their implications for school psychologists seeking to select technically sound instruments that yield reliable scores from which valid inferences about SEB factors can be drawn.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)93-108
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of School Psychology
Volume64
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2017

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

Keywords

  • Cross-informant agreement
  • Mental health
  • Predictive validity
  • Rating scales
  • SEB assessment
  • Universal screening

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