Reliability and Validity of the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale-Second Edition: Parent Rating Scale.

Three studies are reported addressing the test-retest reliability and convergent validity of the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale-Second Edition (BERS-2): Parent Rating Scale (PRS). In the first study, test-retest reliability was investigated over a one-week period to determine the stability of the BERS-2 PRS over time. Reliability coefficients were at or above .80. Convergent validity was assessed as parents completed the PRS and a second measure of perceived child functioning. In the second study, the six BERS-2 PRS subscales and overall strength index were correlated with composite scores from the parent forms of the Social Skills Rating System. Correlations were generally highly positive. In the third study, the PRS was correlated with problem scales of Achenbach's Child Behavior Checklist. All correlations were negative with the problem scales, and more than three-fourths were moderate to large. The BERS-2 PRS appears to be a psychometrically sound rapid-assessment instrument. Implications for use of the BERS-2 PRS by school social workers are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]