Development and validation of the Youth Externalizing Behavior Screener: A brief and effective measure of behavioral problems

ABSTRACT

Universal screening is a useful way to identify emotional and behavioral problems and develop prevention or intervention strategies for adolescents at-risk in schools. The purpose of the present study is to report the preliminary development and validation of a brief and effective instrument—the Youth Externalizing Behavior Screener (YEBS)—aimed at measuring youths’ externalizing behavior problems. Findings from exploratory factor analyses (N = 229) showed that responses to the scale yielded a three-factor latent structure, which consisted of 12 items, targeting core symptoms of conduct problems, hyperactivity, and attention problems. Thereafter, confirmatory factor analysis (N = 243) confirmed the three-factor measurement model providing a good data–model fit. Three constructs were characterized by adequate-to-strong latent construct and internal reliability coefficients. The concurrent validity outcomes provided further evidence, indicating the small-to-strong associations between the YEBS and criterion variables. Latent variables path model showed the second-order measurement model had moderate-to-large predictive effect on the school-specific well-being structures, self-report academic achievement, and happiness. Taken together, these results suggested that the YEBS was a structurally reliable and valid instrument for assessing externalizing behavior problems among adolescents.

KEYWORDS:

• externalizing behavior
• conduct problems
• hyperactivity
• mental health
• adolescence

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gökmen Arslan

Gökmen Arslan, PhD, is a faculty member within the Department of Psychological Counseling and Guidance at Süleyman Demirel University in Isparta, Turkey. His research interests are centered on measuring and improving youths’ wellbeing and mental health in school settings.