Factor Structure, Internal Consistency, and Interrater Reliability of the Early Childhood Behavior Problem Screening Scale

The current study examined the initial psychometrics of the Early Childhood Behavior Problem Screening Scale (ECBPSS; Epstein & Nelson, 2006), namely the factor structure and associated internal consistency of factor items of parent and teacher versions as well as interrater reliability. Data came from samples of preschool- and kindergarten-age children from 2 medium-size cities in the U.S. midwest. Separate analyses of the parent and teacher data revealed internalizing and externalizing factors, with Cronbach's alphas ranging from.83 to.95. Parent and teacher interrater reliability coefficients ranged from.32 to.37. Overall, the results suggest that the 12-item ECBPSS Parent and Teacher forms may be useful for screening young children who may be at risk for emotional and behavioral disorders.