Measures of Child Emotional and Behavioral Strengths and Family Functioning: A Preliminary Report on the Reliability and Validity of their Spanish Translations

• Published in: Journal of psychoeducational assessment 2004-09, Vol.22 (3), p.209-219
• Main Authors: Walrath, Christine M., Franco, Eileen, Liao, Qinghong, Holden, E. Wayne
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Child Behavior; Emotional Disturbances; Evaluation; Health Services; Hispanic Americans; Mental Health; Psychoeducational Methods; Psychological Studies; Psychometrics; Rating Scales; Spanish Literature; Translation; United States; Validity
• ISSN: 0734-2829; 1557-5144
• DOI: 10.1177/073428290402200302

There is a documented need for reliable and valid Spanish-translated child mental health assessment tools. Although the psychometric properties of some of the more commonly used Spanish translations have been demonstrated, many instruments that were developed, tested, and normed in English are being Spanish-translated and used without further psychometric investigation. The current study found preliminary support for the internal consistency and convergent validity of the Spanish-translated Family Assessment Device and Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale using data from the national evaluation of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Service for Children and Their Families Program. A discussion of these findings as they relate to the psychometric properties of the English versions is included. Finally, next steps for more in-depth psychometric analyses are outlined.