Predictive Validity of a Student Self-Report Screener of Behavioral and Emotional Risk in an Urban High School. Issue 4 (1st December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dowdy, Erin; Harrell-Williams, Leigh; Dever, Bridget V.; Furlong, Michael J.; Moore, Stephanie; Raines, Tara; Kamphaus, Randy W.
• Editors: Bowman-Perrott, Lisa
• Is Part Of: School psychology review. Volume 45:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 458
• Page End: 476
• Publication Date: 2016-12-01
• Subjects: School psychology -- Periodicals; Educational psychology -- Periodicals; Psychopédagogie -- Périodiques; Educational psychology; School psychology; Schoolpsychologie; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 370.15
• DOI: Https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.17105/SPR45-4.458-476
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2372-966X

Abstract

Abstract: Increasingly, schools are implementing school-based screening for risk of behavioral and emotional problems; hence, foundational evidence supporting the predictive validity of screening instruments is important to assess. This study examined the predictive validity of the Behavior Assessment System for Children-2 Behavioral and Emotional Screening System Student Form (BESS Student) in the authentic context of an urban high school that conducted universal screening over 3 years. Multivariate regression, sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were used to examine the BESS Student scores' prediction of internalizing symptoms. BESS Student scores were able to explain a significant proportion of the variance in internalizing symptoms concurrently, but predictive validity estimates decreased over time. Significant gender differences were present; BESS Student scores were better able to predict internalizing symptoms for females. Implications for research and practice involving screening for behavioral and emotional problems are discussed.