Examining the BASC-3 BESS Parent Form–Preschool Using Rasch Methodology

Abstract

This study examined the Behavior Assessment System for Children–Third Edition Behavioral and Emotional Screening System, Parent Form–Preschool, which is used to identify children at risk for emotional/behavioral problems. Rasch rating scale methods were used to provide information about psychometric properties of items, parent raters, and the response scale. Using the norming sample of 459 children, we investigated the structure of the screener, performance of the scale, and coverage of the maladaptive behavior construct to identify children with emerging behavioral difficulties. Most items showed good fit to the rating scale methods model with broad coverage of the latent domain. Items measuring internalizing and externalizing problems indicated a greater tendency for at-risk behavior, and items measuring adaptive skills offered a minimal contribution to measuring risk status. No differential item functioning was observed due to child gender; however, differential item functioning was observed between ratings for Caucasian and Hispanic or African American students for select items.