Differences in Emotional and Behavioral Problems of Students over Time: A 22-Year Cross-Sectional Cohort Study.

Levels of emotional and behavioral problems in children and adolescents demonstrate secular changes over time, warranting ongoing investigation. Prior studies examining secular trends in a range of such problems have been conducted in the U.S.

Differential item functioning across race and ethnicity for the Emotional and Behavioral Screener.

The objective of this study was to assess the measurement invariance of items from the Emotional and Behavioral Screener (EBS) across racial and ethnic groups and assess the impact of differential item functioning (DIF) on test scores from the EBS. Participants were 4,856 first-grade students (49% female) who were diverse with regard to race and ethnicity (45% African American, 41% Hispanic/Latino, and 14% Caucasian). Classroom teachers rated each student on the EBS during the fall semester screening window.

Food Insecurity and Cardiovascular Health in Pregnant Women: Results From the Food for Families Program, Chelsea, Massachusetts, 2013-2015.

Background: Food insecurity, uncertainty about the ability to acquire adequate food, is associated with cardiometabolic disease in pregnant women. Whether food insecurity interventions improve cardiometabolic health is unknown.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of women who visited the obstetrics clinic in a community health center from 2013 through 2015.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Symptoms and Functioning Severity Scale (SFSS) Short Forms with Out-of-Home Care Youth.

Background: There is a need for brief progress monitoring measures of behavioral and emotional symptoms for youth in out-of-home care. The Symptoms and Functioning Severity Scale (SFSS; Bickman et al., 2010) is one measure that has clinician and youth short forms (SFSS-SFs); however, the psychometric soundness of the SFSS-SFs with youth in out-of-home care has yet to be examined.

Psychometrics of the preschool behavioral and emotional rating scale with children from early childhood special education settings.

In a previous study with a nationally representative sample, researchers found that the items of the Preschool Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale can best be described by a four-factor structure model (Emotional Regulation, School Readiness, Social Confidence, and Family Involvement). The findings of this investigation replicate and extend these previous results with a national sample of children (N = 1,075) with disabilities enrolled in early childhood special education programs. Data were analyzed using classical tests theory, Rasch modeling, and confirmatory factor analysis.

Prevalence of physical health issues of youth with school identified disabilities in residential settings: a brief report.

Background: Each year a number of youth with a school identified disability are placed in residential care. It has been well documented that these youth enter with elevated rates of behavioral, emotional, educational, mental health, and familial challenges. However, the physical and medical condition of these youth remains unstudied.

Validation of the symptoms and functioning severity scale in residential group care.

Tests that measure the emotional and behavioral problems of children and youth are typically not normed and standardized on youth diagnosed with disruptive behavior, particularly those youth in residential care. Yet professional standards mandate that before instruments are used with a specific population the psychometric properties need to be studied and re-established: specifically, psychometric properties, including validity, need to be evaluated (AERA, APA, and NCME, The standards for educational and psychological testing. AERA, Washington, DC, 1999).

Health-related quality of life among adolescents in residential care: description and correlates.

The purpose of this article is to describe the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of adolescents in residential care and to examine selected correlates. A sample of 229 adolescents (mean age=17 years) living in a residential care setting completed a validated measure of HRQoL (PedsQL 4.0 Generic Scales).

Convergent Validity of the Strength-Based Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale with Youth in a Residential Setting.

Strength-based assessment has been identified as an appropriate approach to use in planning treatment and evaluating outcomes of youth in residential settings. In previous research, the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale-2, a standardized and norm-referenced strength-based measure, has demonstrated adequate reliability and validity with youth served in community and educational settings. The purpose of the present study was to examine the internal reliability and convergent validity of the BERS-2 by comparing the test to the Child Behavior Checklist and the Symptoms and Functioning Severity Scale.

Comparison of On the Way Home aftercare supports to traditional care following discharge from a residential setting: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

This study compares the On the Way Home (OTWH) aftercare program to traditional aftercare supports on placement and school stability for 82 youth (43 treatment, 39 control) with disabilities discharging from residential care. One-year-post-discharge results revealed that negative event occurrence (i.e.

Psychopathology as a predictor of medical service utilization for youth in residential treatment.

Rising health care costs have led to an emphasis on identifying factors that contribute to medical service utilization. Previous research has suggested an association between youth psychopathology and service utilization; however, prospective studies among high-risk populations are needed. The current study examined youth psychopathology as a predictor of subsequent medical service utilization among a large sample (N = 536) of youth entering residential treatment.

Confirmatory factor analysis of the PedsQL among youth in a residential treatment setting.

Purpose: The Pediatric Quality of Life assessment (PedsQL™) is the most widely used measure for assessing adolescent health-related quality of life (HRQoL). While youth in residential treatment facilities face many physical and mental health, behavioral, education, and familial challenges that could impact their HRQoL, no research has sought to assess the factor structure of the PedsQL™ among youth receiving residential care.

Methods: High school-aged youth (N = 229) attending a large residential treatment center in Omaha, NE were recruited to complete a data collection packet comprised of various health assessments including the PedsQL.

Prevalence of physical health problems among youth entering residential treatment.

Objective: To examine the prevalence of physical health problems among youth entering residential treatment.

Patients And Methods: The sample included 1744 youth (mean age: 14.6 ± 1.

The academic and functional academic skills of youth who are at risk for language impairment in residential care.

Purpose: Undiagnosed language impairment (LI) for youth in residential care is a concern as similar populations have shown elevated levels of language delays. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to identify the percentage of youth in residential care who are at risk for LI and to compare the demographic, academic achievement, and functional academic skills of youth with or without possible LI.

Method: Participants were 80 youth in residential care.

Overlooked: children with disabilities in residential care.

While estimates suggest that 10% to 31% of children in residential care are identified as with a disability, little is known about their characteristics or functioning as compared to nondisabled peers. This study evaluated data of 123 children with (n=34) and without (n=89) disabilities in residential care to determine demographic, behavioral, mental health, and educational characteristics. Data included demographic, behavior checklist, and standardized mental health and academic measures.

Assessing the wraparound process during family planning meetings.

Research and evaluation of the wraparound process has typically focused on outcomes, service providers, and costs. While many of these studies describe a process that is consistent with the wraparound approach, few studies have reported attempts to monitor or measure the treatment fidelity of the wraparound process. The purpose of this study was to assess the fidelity of the wraparound process in a community-based system of care using the Wraparound Observation Form-Second Version.

Reliability of the Wraparound Observation Form--Second Version: an instrument designed to assess the fidelity of the wraparound approach.

The push to rapidly implement the wraparound approach for families of children with serious emotional disturbance (SED) has resulted in a number of service models that may or may not be in accordance with its theoretical foundation. Given the number of wraparound programs being implemented nationwide, the need to develop instruments that can measure the fidelity of wraparound services in a reliable manner should not be ignored. The purpose of this study was to examine the interobserver agreement of the Wraparound Observation Form--Second Version (WOF-2), an observation system designed to assess the fidelity of wraparound services.

Standardization of the behavioral and emotional rating scale: factor structure, reliability, and criterion validity.

The present study reports on the standardization of the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale and examines its factor structure, reliability, and criterion validity. Data on a national sample of children without disabilities (n = 2,176) and children with emotional and behavioral disorders (n = 861) were collected. Analysis of the data from the first sample identified five factors: interpersonal strengths, family involvement, intrapersonal strength, school functioning, and affective development.