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Article
Latent Structure of Scores From the Emotional and Behavioral Screener
Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment
  • Matthew C. Lambert, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
  • Stacy-Ann A. January, University of South Carolina
  • Corey D. Pierce, University of Northern Colorado
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2022
Keywords
  • emotional and behavioral screener,
  • factor structure,
  • behavior rating scale,
  • universal screening,
  • prevention
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1177/0734282916676130
Abstract

The Emotional and Behavioral Screener (EBS) is a recently developed teacher-reported brief screening instrument for identifying students who are at-risk of an emotional or behavioral disorder (EBD). Although prior research supports the technical adequacy of scores from the EBS, there is a gap in the literature regarding strong evidence of the factor structure underlying EBS scores. This study investigated the latent structure of scores from the EBS in a sample of 646 elementary students who were rated by their teachers in a 2-week screening period. Single-factor confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and bifactor models were used to test the hypothesis that EBS scores are a measure of both overall emotional and behavioral risk and students’ externalizing and internalizing behaviors. Results supported a bifactor structure, in that scores from the EBS can be considered to represent a general factor (i.e., risk of EBD) and two group factors (i.e., externalizing and internalizing domains). Findings have implications for interpreting scores when using the EBS as a universal screener for the risk of EBD.

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, v. 36, issue 3, p. 249-260

Citation Information
Matthew C. Lambert, Stacy-Ann A. January and Corey D. Pierce. "Latent Structure of Scores From the Emotional and Behavioral Screener" Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment Vol. 36 Iss. 3 (2022) p. 249 - 260
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/stacy-ann-january/17/