Preliminary Psychometric Findings on the Arabic Systematic Screening for Behavior Disorders

Abstract

This study was a first step toward adaptation of the Arabic version of the Systematic Screening for Behavior Disorders, Second Edition (SSBD-2) for public schools in the State of Kuwait. The study aimed to assess the face validity of the Arabic SSBD-2, investigate differences among the scores of students nominated by teachers as at risk for emotional or behavioral disorders (EBDs) on the Arabic SSBD-2 scales, test the internal consistency of the Arabic SSBD-2 items, and assess the social validity of the Arabic SSBD-2 through surveying teacher satisfaction. Seventy-seven teachers and 346 students from the first through ninth grades across 21 public elementary and middle schools participated. The findings showed significant differences between male and female students at risk for EBDs on the critical events index, whereas no differences were detected between the males and females on the combined frequency index of adaptive and maladaptive behaviors. The internal consistency coefficients for the combined frequency index of adaptive and maladaptive behaviors was strong (α = .84 and α = .88, respectively). In addition, 72.6% of teachers advised use of the Arabic SSBD-2 in Kuwaiti public schools. This study’s findings encourage further psychometric evaluations of the Arabic SSBD-2.