We confirmed the factor structure of the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale – 2nd Edition (BERS-2) with a normative parent and youth sample. The BERS-2, based on the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale (BERS), is a standardized instrument that assesses children's emotional and behavioral strengths. The original BERS was renormed to create a separate parent scale (Parent Rating Scale) and a youth self-report scale (Youth Rating Scale). In this study, we investigated whether the five-factor structure of the original BERS (i.e., interpersonal strengths, family involvement, intrapersonal strengths, school functioning, and affective strengths) could be replicated with normative parent and youth respondents. A total of 927 parents of students with and without disabilities and 1301 youth with and without disabilities volunteered to participate in the study. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to determine the extent to which the normative parent and youth data fit the original five-factor BERS structure. Results indicated that the five-factor structure demonstrated an acceptable fit with the normative parent and youth samples. Practical implications and future research ideas are discussed.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This research was supported in part by grants from the Center for Mental Health Services and U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the position of the funding agencies and no endorsement should be inferred.
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Buckley, J.A., Ryser, G., Reid, R. et al. Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale–2 (BERS-2) Parent and Youth Rating Scales. J Child Fam Stud 15, 27–37 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-005-9000-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-005-9000-2