The reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the brief infant-toddler social emotional assessment (BITSEA)

Karabekiroglu K., Rodopman-Arman A., AY N. P., Ozkesen M., Akbas S., Tasdemir G. N., ...More

INFANT BEHAVIOR & DEVELOPMENT, vol.32, no.3, pp.291-297, 2009 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 32 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2009
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2009.03.003
  • Journal Name: INFANT BEHAVIOR & DEVELOPMENT
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.291-297
  • Keywords: BITSEA, Toddlers, Validity, Reliability, Turkey, PEDIATRIC SYMPTOM CHECKLIST, CHILDREN, BEHAVIOR, AUTISM, SCREEN
  • Ondokuz Mayıs University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In this study the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the brief infant-toddler social emotional assessment (BITSEA) were investigated in a community sample. The sample consisted of 462 children (mean age: 24.60 +/- 7.93 [12-42] months) who had applied to Turkish health centers for immunization. Both parents completed the BITSEA; mothers completed the child behavior checklist 2/3 (CBCL). Internal consistencies of the BITSEA-problem (P) and competence (C) scales were good to excellent (Cronbach's alpha = 0.82 and 0.72, respectively). Interrater reliability between parents and test-retest reliability were good. BITSEA/P scores were significantly correlated with CBCL internalizing, externalizing and total problem scores (p < 0.001). Maternal BITSEA/P cutpoint scores revealed that 30.6% of male toddlers and 28.6% of females were in the subclinical range and 13.1% of males and 17.6% of females were in clinical range. Results reveal that the Turkish version of BITSEA is a reliable, valid and simply applicable instrument for screening social, emotional and behavioral problems among toddlers. Clinical validation of the BITSEA/C and BITSEA/P is warranted. Crown Copyright (c) 2009 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.