Evidências de validade da Escala de Conduta Social para Adolescentes.

In Brazil, there are few tools to assess social behavior among adolescents. Therefore, this study aimed to build and seek validity evidence of Social Conduct Scale for Adolescents. We developed the instrument based on diagnostic criteria and interviews with experts and adolescents. Then, we looked for evidence of convergent validity and internal structure. The sample consisted of 1,093 participants, of which 54% were female. The Factorial Scale of Emotional Adjustment/Neuroticism and Social Skills Inventory were used to the search for evidence of convergent validity. As a result, three factors were extracted: "antisocial behavior", "prosocial behavior", and "challenge-oppositionalism" (with explained variances of 14.82%, 5.38% and 2.81% respectively). Differences in three factors were found in relation to gender and type of schooling. There was a significant interaction between age and gender, and positive correlation between the factors "antisocial behavior" and "challenge-oppositionalism". We conclude that the ESCA is valid and appropriate for use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]