Analysis of the Factor Structure of the Pediatric Symptoms Checklist in the Preschool Environment

• In Event: 63.085 - Poster Session 13
  In Poster Session: 63.085-6 - Early Education and Child Development SIG Poster Session

Abstract

The purpose of this study is twofold: (1) to investigate the underlying latent structure of a teacher-rated screening form (PSC-17) for use in preschools and (2) to investigate measurement invariance of the identified structure for boys and girls. Participants were 836 preschool children. Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling was suggested to identify the optimal factor solution. Results indicated that the PSC-17 has three dimensions: Internalizing problems, Externalizing problems, and Attention problems. The invariance test will be conducted based on the ESEM results. Correctly identifying the PSC-17’s factor structure in a new environment can extend this use of this scale to the schools, and, possibly is an option for behavioral and emotional Reponses to Intervention programs with young children.

Authors

• Jin Liu, University of South Carolina - Columbia

• Yin Burgess, University of South Carolina

• Christine DiStefano, University of South Carolina