A universal behavioral screener linked to personalized classroom interventions: Psychometric characteristics in a large sample of German schoolchildren. (February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Volpe, Robert J.; Casale, Gino; Mohiyeddini, Changiz; Grosche, Michael; Hennemann, Thomas; Briesch, Amy M.; Daniels, Brian
• Is Part Of: Journal of school psychology. Volume 66(2018)
• Page Start: 25
• Page End: 40
• Publication Date: 2018-02
• Subjects: Universal screening -- Disruptive behavior -- Personalized intervention -- Behavioral intervention; School psychologists -- Periodicals; School psychology -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; School Health Services -- Periodicals; Psychologues scolaires -- Périodiques; Child psychology -- Periodicals; Psychologie scolaire -- Périodiques; Onderwijspsychologie; School psychologists; School psychology; Periodicals; 155.405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsp.2017.11.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4405

Abstract

Abstract: The current study represents the first psychometric evaluation of an American English into German translation of a school-based universal screening measure designed to assess academic and disruptive behavior problems. This initial study examines the factor structure and diagnostic accuracy of the newly translated measure in a large sample of 1009 German schoolchildren attending grades 1–6 in Western Germany. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a two-factor model for both male- and female- students. Configural invariance was supported between male- and female-samples. However scalar invariance was not supported, with higher thresholds for ratings of female students. Results of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were indicative of good to excellent diagnostic accuracy with areas under the curve ranging from 0.89 to 0.93. Optimal cut-off scores were 10, 5, and 13 for the Academic Productivity/Disorganization, Oppositional/Disruptive, and the Total Problems Composite scores of the Integrated System Teacher Rating Form respectively. This initial study of the newly translated measure supports further investigations into its utility for universal screening in German speaking schools.