Abstract:
This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Social Competence and Behavior Evaluation Scale (SCBE-30) using a sample of Turkish children aged 3 to 6 years. The reliability and construct validity of the SCBE-30 were addressed by examining the internal consistency, test-retest reliability, factor analytic structure, and interrelations to other constructs related to social competence. Similar to the previous studies, a statistically significant testretest association (over a 3-month period) of moderate strength was found. Supporting the validity of the scale, the three factor structure underlying the original form was replicated. Furthermore, girls and older children were found to be more socially competent compared to boys and younger children. Children who had higher emotion regulation and effortful control also had higher social competence, before and after covariate control. A significant relation between adjustment problems and social competence was also detected before covariate control. The study filled in an important gap in the Turkish literature by validating a screening tool to identify preschool-aged children at risk for social problems and externalizing as well as internalizing problems. The SCBE-30 proved to be a reliable and valid assessment tool for future research and for clinical practice to identify at-risk children in Turkey.
