Validity Evidences for the Portuguese Version of the Problem Behavior Scale: Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scales-2

Abstract

The early identification of problem behaviors is essential in preschool. This paper presents evidence of validity (confirmatory factor analysis) for the Problem Behavior scale of the Portuguese version of the Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scales - Second Edition (PKBS-2). Analyses were performed for the scale's 46 items, which were grouped into 16 item-parcels. Once it was verified that the model fit the total sample (N = 2000; CFI = .98; RMSEA = .06), analyses were replicated for the samples collected at home and at school (n = 1000 per setting). Results indicate a factor structure equivalent to the original version, with five supplemental subscales, distributed into two subscales (Externalizing and Internalizing), stable for the two subsamples, with high internal consistency levels (α = .78-.97). The discussion highlights the utility/validity of the Portuguese version of the Problem Behavior scale among preschoolers.