ERIC Number: EJ831519
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Mar
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1045-3830
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Convergent and Divergent Validity of the Devereux Student Strengths Assessment
Nickerson, Amanda B.; Fishman, Callen
School Psychology Quarterly, v24 n1 p48-59 Mar 2009
This study assessed the convergent and divergent validity of the Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA; LeBuffe, Shapiro, & Naglieri, 2008). A total of 227 (n = 94 teachers, n = 133 parents) raters completed the DESSA, in addition to the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scales-2 (BERS-2; Epstein, 2004) and/or the Behavior Assessment System for Children-2 (BASC-2; Reynolds & Kamphaus, 2004). All DESSA and BERS-2 subscales and total scales completed by parents and teachers correlated significantly. DESSA subscales and BASC-2 Adaptive Skills subscales correlated significantly for both parent and teacher raters. The divergent validity of the DESSA was explored by correlating the Total Protective Factor scale and subscales with the BASC-2 Behavioral Symptoms Index and clinical subscales. The majority of correlations for the parent ratings were significantly, negatively correlated, with the exception of the Anxiety, Somatization, and Withdrawal subscales. Support for the convergent validity of the DESSA was consistent across raters (e.g., parents; teachers) and measures (e.g., BASC-2; BERS-2). Thus, these findings support the divergent validity of the DESSA. (Contains 6 tables.)
Descriptors: Test Validity, Rating Scales, Correlation, Interrater Reliability, Student Behavior, Psychometrics, Evaluation Methods, Measurement, Measurement Techniques, Student Characteristics, Personality Traits
American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org/publications
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Behavior Assessment System for Children
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A