Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Measurement Equivalence of the Child Behavior Checklist among Parents of African American Adolescents

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Child and Family Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/6-18) is a widely used parent-report measure of youth internalizing and externalizing problems. Accumulating evidence, however, suggests that the CBCL may not adequately assess clinical problems in diverse populations. We investigated the measurement equivalence (ME) of the CBCL in an African American adolescent sample (N = 145). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated poor factor model fit; however, modification indices and an alternative two-factor model produced improved fit statistics. Internal consistency coefficients of CBCL scales ranged from α = .65 to .88 and were generally lower than those reported for the normative sample. The CBCL exhibited convergent validity with conceptually similar scales on the Parent Report Scale of the Behavior Assessment System for Children; however, the correlations were weaker than those reported for the normative sample. The CBCL Internalizing composite failed to predict clinician-rated Emotional problems, however, the Externalizing composite predicted clinician-rated behavior problems. In summary, the CBCL did not exhibit unequivocal evidence of ME, as it both possesses and lacks a number of statistical attributes that would demonstrate its equivalence with African Americans. Future empirical and theoretical work is discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Achenbach, T. M. (1991). Manual for the child behavior checklist/4–18 and 1991 profile. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont Department of Psychiatry.

    Google Scholar 

  • Achenbach, T. M., & Rescorla, L. A. (2001). Manual for the ASEBA school-age forms & profiles. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont, Research Center for Children, Youth, & Families.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychological Association. (2002). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. The American Psychologist, 57, 1060–1073. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.57.12.1060.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barbarin, O. A. (1993). Emotional and social development of African American children. The Journal of Black Psychology, 19, 381–390. doi:10.1177/00957984930194001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barber, C. C., Neese, D. T., Coyne, L., Fultz, J., & Fonagy, P. (2002). The target symptom rating: A brief clinical measure of acute psychiatric symptoms in children and adolescents. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 31, 181–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bentler, P. M. (1990). Comparative fit indices in structural models. Psychological Bulletin, 107, 238–246. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.107.2.238.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bland, J. M., & Altman, D. G. (1997). Statistics notes: Cronbach’s alpha. British Medical Journal, 314, 572.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bollen, K. A. (1989). Structural equations with latent variables. Oxford, England: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Browne, M. W., & Cudeck, R. (1993). Alternative ways of assessing model fit. In K. A. Bollen & J. S. Long (Eds.), Testing structural equation models (pp. 136–162). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chou, C., & Bentler, P. M. (1995). Estimates and tests in structural equation modeling. In R. H. Hoyle (Ed.), Structural equation modeling: Concepts, issues, and applications (pp. 37–55). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, J., & Cohen, P. (1983). Applied multiple regression/correlation analysis for the behavioral sciences. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coll, C. G., & Garrido, M. (2000). Minorities in the United States: Sociocultural context for mental health and developmental psychopathology. In A. J. Sameroff, M. Lewis, & S. M. Miller (Eds.), Handbook of developmental psychopathology (2nd ed., pp. 177–195). New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conners, C. K. (1998). The Conners rating scales. North Tonawanda, NY: Multi-Health Systems.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cronbach, L. J., & Meehl, P. E. (1955). Construct validity in psychological tests. Psychological Bulletin, 52, 281–302. doi:10.1037/h0040957.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Drotar, D., Stein, R. E. K., & Perrin, E. C. (1995). Methodological issues in using the child behavior checklist and its related instruments in clinic child psychology research. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 24, 184–192. doi:10.1207/s15374424jccp2402_6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fabrega, H., Mezzich, J., & Ulrich, R. F. (1988). Black-white differences in psychopathology in an urban psychiatric population. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 29, 285–297.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foster, S. L., & Martinez, C. R., Jr. (1995). Ethnicity: Conceptual and methodological issues in child clinical research. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 24, 214–226. doi:10.1207/s15374424jccp2402_9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibbs, J. T. (1998). High-risk behaviors in African American youth: Conceptual and methodological issues in research. In V. C. McLoyd & L. Steinberg (Eds.), Studying minority adolescents: Conceptual, methodological, and theoretical issues (pp. 55–86). New Jersey: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilgun, J. F. (2005). The four cornerstones of evidence-based practice in social work. Research on Social Work Practice, 15, 52–61. doi:10.1177/1049731504269581.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamer, S., & Collinson, G. (2005). Achieving evidence-based practice: A handbook for practitioners. Edinburgh: Baillière Tindall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammack, P. L. (2003). Toward a unified theory of depression among urban African American youth: Integrating socioecologic, cognitive, family stress, and biopsychosocial perspectives. The Journal of Black Psychology, 29, 187–209. doi:10.1177/0095798403029002004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herjanic, B., & Reich, W. (1982). Development of a structured psychiatric interview for children: Agreement between child and parent on individual symptoms. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 10, 307–324. doi:10.1007/BF00912324.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Holmbeck, G. N., Li, S. T., Schurman, J. V., Friedman, D., & Coakley, R. M. (2002). Collecting and managing multisource and multimethod data in studies of pediatric populations. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 27, 5–18. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/27.1.5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoyle, R. H. (1995). Structural equation modeling: Concepts, issues, and applications. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu, L., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling, 6, 1–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huebeck, B. G. (2000). Cross-cultural generalizability of CBCL syndromes across three continents: From the USA and Holland to Australia. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 28, 439–450. doi:10.1023/A:1005131605891.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hui, H. C., & Triandis, H. C. (1985). Measurement in cross-cultural psychology. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 16, 131–152. doi:10.1177/0022002185016002001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaccard, J., & Wan, C. K. (1996). LISREL approaches to interaction effects in multiple regression. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jagers, R. J. (1996). Culture and problem behaviors among inner-city African-American youth: Further explorations. Journal of Adolescence, 19, 371–381.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, R. (1993). Clinical issues in the use of the DSM-III-R with African American children: A diagnostic paradigm. The Journal of Black Psychology, 19, 447–460. doi:10.1177/00957984930194005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jöreskog, K. G., & Sörbom, D. (2003a). LISREL 8: User’s reference guide. Lincolnwood, IL: Scientific Software International, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jöreskog, K. G., & Sörbom, D. (2003b). PRELIS 2: User’s reference guide. Lincolnwood, IL: Scientific Software International, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kessler, R. C., Chiu, W. T., Demler, O., & Walters, E. E. (2006). Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of DSM-IV disorders in the national comorbidity survey-replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62, 617–627. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.62.6.617.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kline, R. B. (1995). New objective ratings scales for child assessment, II. Self-report scales for children and adolescents: Self-report of personality of the behavior assessment system for children, the youth self-report, and the personality inventory for youth. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 13, 169–193. doi:10.1177/073428299501300207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knight, G. P., & Hill, N. E. (1998). Measurement equivalence in research involving minority adolescents. In V. C. McLoyd & L. Steinberg (Eds.), Studying minority adolescents: Conceptual, methodological, and theoretical issues (pp. 183–210). New Jersey: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Konold, T. R., Hamre, B. K., & Pianta, R. C. (2003). Measuring problem behaviors in young children. Behavioral Disorders, 28, 111–123.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lahey, B. B., Applegate, B., Waldman, I. D., Loft, J. D., Hankin, B. L., & Rick, J. (2004). The structure of child and adolescent psychopathology: Generating new hypotheses. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 113, 358–385. doi:10.1037/0021-843X.113.3.358.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lambert, M. C., Markle, F., & Bellas, V. F. (2001). Psychopathology and assessment in African American children and families: A historical, ecological, and strength-based perspective. In A. M. Neal-Barnett, J. M. Contreras, & K. A. Kerns (Eds.), Forging links: African American children clinical developmental perspectives (pp. 1–22). Westport, CT: Praeger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lambert, M. C., Rowan, G. T., Lyubansky, M., & Russ, C. M. (2002). Do problems of clinic-referred African American children overlap with the child behavior checklist? Journal of Child and Family Studies, 11, 271–285. doi:10.1023/A:1016816005732.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lambert, M. C., Schmitt, N., Samms-Vaughan, M. E., Shin An, J., Fairclough, M., & Nutter, C. A. (2003). Is it prudent to administer all items for each child behavior checklist cross-informant syndrome? Evaluating the psychometric properties of the youth self-report dimensions with confirmatory factor analysis and item response theory. Psychological Assessment, 15, 550–568. doi:10.1037/1040-3590.15.4.550.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McLauglin, K. A., Hilt, L. M., & Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2007). Racial/ethnic differences in internalizing and externalizing symptoms in adolescents. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 35, 801–816. doi:10.1007/s10802-007-9128-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McLoyd, V. C. (1998). Changing demographics in the American population: Implications for research on minority children and adolescents. In V. C. McLoyd & L. Steinberg (Eds.), Studying minority adolescents: Conceptual, methodological, and theoretical issues (pp. 3–28). New Jersey: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers, K., & Winters, N. C. (2002). Ten-year review of rating scales. I: Overview of scale functioning, psychometric properties, and selection. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 41, 114–122. doi:10.1097/00004583-200202000-00004.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Neal, A. M., & Turner, S. M. (1991). Anxiety disorders research with African Americans: Current status. Psychological Bulletin, 109, 400–410.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pumariega, A. J. (1996). Culturally competent outcome evaluation in systems of care for children’s mental health. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 5, 389–397. doi:10.1007/BF02233861.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, C. R., & Kamphaus, R. W. (1998). Behavior assessment system for children (BASC) manual. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, C. R., & Richmond, B. O. (1978). What i think and feel: A revised measure of children’s manifest anxiety. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 6, 271–280. doi:10.1007/BF00919131.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sandberg, D. E., Meyer-Bahlburg, H. F. L., & Yager, T. J. (1991). The child behavior checklist nonclinical standardization samples: Should they be utilized as norms? Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 30, 124–134. doi:10.1097/00004583-199101000-00019.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, R. D. (2001). Psychological adjustment of urban, inner-city, African American adolescents. In A. M. Neal-Barnett, J. M. Contreras, & K. A. Kerns (Eds.), Forging links: African American children clinical developmental perspectives (pp. 89–105). Westport, CT: Praeger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vaughn, M. L., Riccio, C. A., Hynd, G. W., & Hall, J. (1997). Diagnosing ADHD (predominantly inattentive and combined subtypes): Discriminant validity of the behavior assessment system for children and the achenbach parent and teacher rating scales. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 26, 349–357. doi:10.1207/s15374424jccp2604_3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, E. C., Kim, B. S. K., Zane, N. W. S., Kim, I. J., & Huang, J. S. (2003). Examining culturally based variables associated with ethnicity: Influences on credibility perceptions of empirically supported interventions. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology, 9, 88–96. doi:10.1037/1099-9809.9.1.88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yoshikawa, H. (1994). Prevention as cumulative protection: Effects of early family support and education on chronic delinquency and its risks. Psychological Bulletin, 115, 28–54. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.115.1.28.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the assistance of Marcia Huber and the dedicated staff of Perez-Pena, Ltd. for collecting and providing access to the data used in the present study. Perez-Pena Ltd. is a contract partner for the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare, Department of Health and Family Services.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA

    Kristen E. Jastrowski Mano

  2. Jane B. Pettit Pain and Palliative Care Center, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, MS 792, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA

    Kristen E. Jastrowski Mano

  3. Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    W. Hobart Davies, Bonita P. Klein-Tasman & Vincent J. Adesso

Authors
  1. Kristen E. Jastrowski Mano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. W. Hobart Davies
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Bonita P. Klein-Tasman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Vincent J. Adesso
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kristen E. Jastrowski Mano.

Appendices

Appendices

Appendix 1

See Table 6.

Table 6 Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) polychoric covariance matrix
Full size table

Appendix 2

See Table 7.

Table 7 Correlation matrix of PRS and CBCL clinical scales (n = 101–131)
Full size table

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jastrowski Mano, K.E., Hobart Davies, W., Klein-Tasman, B.P. et al. Measurement Equivalence of the Child Behavior Checklist among Parents of African American Adolescents. J Child Fam Stud 18, 606–620 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-009-9263-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-009-9263-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation