Informant Discrepancies in Universal Behavioral Screening at the High School Level
Date
2024-12-30
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
School Psychology
Abstract
The use of self-report measures evaluating social, emotional, and behavioral risk can be an important element of universal screening with older children and adolescents. Research has demonstrated discrepancies between teacher ratings and student self-report ratings of social, emotional, and behavioral risk, which commonly result in incongruent risk classifications. The present study explored classification incongruence and informant discrepancies on the teacher- and student self-report versions of the Social, Academic, and Emotional Behavior Risk Screener. Screening data from over 600 high school students and their homeroom teachers were examined. Results showed classification congruence was highest for the Social Behavior subscale and lowest for the Emotional Behavior subscale of the Social, Academic, and Emotional Behavior Risk Screener, with teachers endorsing lower levels of risk compared to students. Analysis of potential sociodemographic predictors of informant discrepancies indicated that grade, sex, free and reduced-price lunch eligibility, 504 plan status, and special education status were significant predictors of classification incongruence on at least one Social, Academic, and Emotional Behavior Risk Screener subscale. Implications for practice and limitations are discussed.
Impact and Implications
Universal social, emotional, and behavioral screening data were examined for incongruence on teacher- and self-report measures for high school students. Greater incongruence was found for Emotional Behavior risk ratings, particularly for female students. Grade, sex, special education status, 504 plan status, and free and reduced-price lunch status were significant predictors of classification incongruence. Taken together, findings suggest the importance of utilizing multiple informants in universal social, emotional, and behavioral screening.
Description
This article was originally published in School Psychology. © American Psychological Association, 2024. This paper is not the copy of record and may not exactly replicate the authoritative document published in the APA journal. The final article is available, upon publication, at: https://doi.org/10.1037/spq0000679.
Keywords
universal screening, social–emotional–behavioral risk, informant discrepancies, school mental health
Citation
Ormiston, H. E., Zakszeski, B. N., Osgood, D., Renshaw, T. L., Komer, J., & McPherson, E. C. (2024). Informant discrepancies in universal behavioral screening at the high school level.School Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/spq0000679