title: [Factor structure analysis of the Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scale scores in Spanish population].
abstract: Social competence and antisocial behavior in children are interesting variables for researchers and educators. Nonetheless, there are few assessment instruments capable of measuring the two constructs in small children. The aim of this study is to verify the structural validity of the Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scale for Teachers and Caregivers (PKBS-2), in order to determine the theoretical model that best fits the data from a Spanish sample. 1509 children from preschool education (741 males and 768 females) from 3 to 6 years old (M= 3.78; SD= 0.815) participated in the study. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS-15.0) and the Structural Equations Program (EQS 6.1). The resulting models of social skills and behavioral problems show adequate fit indexes, statistically significant loadings, and a high internal consistency index (Cronbach's alpha). Lastly, the structural model confirms a two-factor structure: a first factor of Social Skills, comprising three variables (social cooperation, social interaction, and social independence), and a second factor of Behavior Problems, comprising two variables (externalization and internalization of problems).
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación, Universidad de Granada18071, Granada, Spain. jlbenit@ugr.es
authors.forename: Juan Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Benítez Muñoz
authors.forename: María del Carmen
authors.initials: Mdel C
authors.lastname: Pichardo Martínez
authors.forename: Trinidad
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: García Berbén
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fernández Cabezas
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Justicia Justicia
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fernández de Haro
mesh_terms: D017028:Caregivers; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching