Psychometric Characteristics of a Psychological Skills Inventory as Applied to Preschool Children

Abstract

A rating scale, the Psychological Skills Inventory, was completed by a sample of parents of Head Start children, as well as by research assistants who observed these children in classrooms. The scale yields a total score, plus a subscale score for each of 22 psychological skills. The scale demonstrated high internal consistency (coefficient alpha = .97) and good interrater reliability among classroom observers (intraclass correlation = .76). The pattern of correlations with other measures of parent and child behavior and mental health suggests that the total score measures overall adjustment or psychological health of the child. Individual skills as measured by the inventory were fairly reliable (average intraclass correlation = .58). The reliability of the subscales in measuring individual psychological skills provides evidence that the scale can be useful in constructing individual treatment plans for children.