Program Outcomes for Youth
Social Competencies

Social Competence
Measures

Researchers have determined that a multidimensional approach to the assessment of social competence is most useful. The five methods most typically used are: direct behavioral observation; behavior rating scales; sociometric approaches; interviewing techniques; and self-reports (Merrell, 1994). Utilizing these approaches in some combination would result in a more accurate assessment of the level of youth social competence. In the following measures section, behavior rating scales and self-report measures have been included.

Self-Report Measures
Social Competence/Social Skills

Name: Teenage Inventory of Social Skills (TISS)
Author: H. M. Inderbitzen & S. L. Foster
Date: 1992
Instrument Description: The TISS is 40-item self-report questionnaire for the assessment of adolescent social competence. The items are designed to reflect behaviors functionally related to peer acceptance. The TISS consists of 20 positive and 20 negative behavioral statements rated on a 6-point continuum.
Where Available: Heidi M. Inderbitzen, Department of Psychology, 202 Burnett Hall, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0308.
Literature Reference: Inderbitzen, H. M., & Foster, S. L. (1992). The teenage inventory of social skills: Development, reliability, and validity. Psychological Assessment, 4, 451-459.
Cost: Not available
Intended Audience: Adolescents
Subscales: Positive and negative behavior scales.
Psychometrics: Internal consistency reliability: .88 for both positive and negative scale. Two week test-retest reliability: positive scale - .90; negative scale - .72. Evidence of convergent and discriminant validity.
Advantages/Disadvantages More psychometric studies needed. The scale is a promising instrument for both the identification of adolescents with peer relationship difficulties and for guiding selection of target behaviors for intervention.


Name: Adolescent Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire (AICQ)
Author: Buhrmester, Furman, Wittenberg, & Reis
Date: 1998
Instrument Description: This 40-item questionnaire is intended to assess five domains of interpersonal competence: initiating relationships; disclosing personal information; asserting displeasure with others; providing emotional support and advice; and managing interpersonal conflict. Each item describes a common interpersonal situation in which respondents rate on a 5-point scale according to their level of competence and comfort in handling each type of situation. Two ratings are made per item: one for same-sex and one for opposite-sex.
Where Available: See authors.
Literature Reference: Buhrmester, D., Furman, W., Wittenberg, M. T., & Reis, H. T. (1988). Five domains of interpersonal competence in peer relations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 55, 991-1008.
Cost: n/a
Intended Audience: College students
Subscales: Five domains described above.
Psychometrics: Internal consistency coefficients ranged from .77 to .87. Test-retest reliability at 4 weeks ranged from .69 to .89 for the five scales. The validity of the independence of the five scale was tested by factor analysis.
Advantages/Disadvantages: This instrument would require adaptation for an adolescent population.

Self Concept

Name: Multidimensional Self Concept Scale (MSCS)
Author: Bracken
Date: 1992
Instrument Description: The MSCS is designed to measure multiple context-dependent dimensions of self concept. Self concept is viewed as a behavioral construct. The MSCS is a 150-item, 4-point Likert-type self-report scale measuring self-perceptions related to six contextual domains: social competence related to interactions with others; success/failure in attainment of goals; recognition of affective behaviors; academic achievement and competence in other school-related activities; competence related to interactions with family members; and physical attractiveness and prowess.
Where Available: Pro-Ed Inc. 8700 Shoal Creek Boulevard, Austin, TX 78758
Literature Reference: Byrne, B. M. (1996). Measuring self-concept across the life-span. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Assoc.
Cost: Complete kit: $64.00 (includes manual and 50 record booklets).
Intended Audience: Children in Grade 5 through Grade 12 (Ages 9-19 years).
Subscales: 6 subscales of 25 items each: Social; Competence; Affect; Academic; Family; and Physical.
Psychometrics: Coefficient alpha reliabilities range from .97 to .99 for the full scale and from .85 to .97 for the subscales. Test-retest reliability of .90 for the full scale over a 4-week period. Evidence of content and construct validity. Concurrent validity with 4 other self-concept measures between .73 and .83.
Advantages/Disadvantages Individual or group administration. Typical time for completion is 20 to 30 minutes. Rigorous and extensive testing program provided evidence of its psychometric properties. Can be used for both clinical and research applications. Subscales solidly linked to a well-established theoretical framework.

Name: Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale (PHCSCS)
Author: Piers, E. V.
Date: 1984
Instrument Description: The PHCSCS is an 80-item , dichotomously scaled (yes/no) self-report questionnaire. It was initially designed as a unidimensional measure of children's self perceptions in relation to six areas of daily functioning: behavior; intellectual and school status; physical appearance; anxiety; popularity; and happiness/satisfaction.
Where Available: Western Psychological Services, 12031 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025-1251
Literature Reference: Byrne, B. M. (1996). Measuring self-concept across the life-span. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Assoc.
Cost: Manual: $45.00. Kit: $115.00 (includes 25 test booklets, 1 scoring key, 1 manual, 2 prepaid WPS Test Report answer sheet for computer scoring and interpretation, and 25 profile forms.
Intended Audience: Grades 4-12 (ages 8-18).
Subscales: Six cluster scales.
Psychometrics: Internal consistency reliabilities for the total score range from .89 to .93. Test-retest correlations range from .42 to .90 over intervals of one year to a few weeks. Convergent validity in the form of correlations with other self-concept measures range from .32 to .85.
Advantages/Disadvantages Individual or small group administration. Typical time for completion of the PHCSCS is 15 to 20 minutes. This instrument has been widely used and highly recommended historically. Less grounded in theory than other self-concept measures. A computer-based administration is available.

Name: Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents (SPPA)
Author: Harter
Date: 1988
Instrument Description: The SPPA is designed to measure multiple dimensions of self-concept. It is intended to measure perceptions of eight specific domains of self-concept, as well as global self-worth. This 45-item self-report scale has a 4-point structured-alternative format intended to offset desirable responding.
Where Available: Susan Harter, University of Denver, Department of Psychology, 2155 South Race Street, Denver, CO 80208-0204.
Literature Reference: Byrne, B. M. (1996). Measuring self-concept across the life-span. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Assoc.
Cost: Manual: $15.00
Intended Audience: Adolescents Grades 9-12. The Self-Perception Profile for Children is more appropriate for younger adolescents.
Subscales: Nine subscales, 5 items each: Scholastic Competence; Athletic Competence, Social Acceptance, Physical Appearance, Job Competence; Close Friendship; Romantic Appeal; Behavioral Conduct; and Global Self-Worth. The Global Self-Worth scale was not intended as a measure of general competence.
Psychometrics: Internal consistency reliabilities ranging from .74 to .91. Face validity.
Advantages/Disadvantages Lacks a national norm sample and limited external validation research. Grounded in a solid theoretical base. Strong construct validity of the Self-Perception Profile for Children, from which six of the nine subscales of the SPPA were derived.

Name: Self-Description Questionnaire II (SDQ-II)
Author: Marsh
Date: 1992
Instrument Description: This 102-item self-report scale is designed to measure multiple dimensions of self-concept. A 6-point Likert scale format is used. It contains eleven subscales measuring nonacademic areas, academic areas, and global perception of self.
Where Available: Publication Office, School of Education and Language Studies, University of Western Sydney, P.O. Box 555, Campbelltown, New South Wales 2560, Australia
Literature Reference: Byrne, B. M. (1996). Measuring self-concept across the life- span. Wshington, DC: American Psychological Assoc.
Cost: Kit: $50.00 (includes SDQ-II, manual, and scoring key)
Intended Audience: Adolescents, grades 7-12.
Subscales: 11 subscales: Nonacademic (physical ability, physical appearance, peer relations-same sex, peer relations-opposite sex, parent relations, emotional stability, and honesty/trustworthiness); Academic (reading, mathematics, general-school); and Overall Global Self Concept (general-self).
Psychometrics: The SDQ-II was normed on a large representative sample. Internal consistency reliability coefficients ranging from .83 to .91 and a mean alpha for the 11 scales of .87. Test-retest reliability based on a small sample at 7 weeks ranged from .73 to .88 with an overall mean correlation coefficient of .80. Strong support for construct validity.
Advantages/Disadvantages Individual or group administration. Administration time: 20 minutes. The SDQ-II is considered the most validated self-concept measure available for use with adolescents. The SDQ-II has undergone extensive testing to determine its psychometric soundness.

Name: Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS)
Author: Roid & Fitts
Date: 1988/1994 Revisions of original 1965 scale (Fitts)
Instrument Description: The TSCS is a 100-item self-report instrument with 10 items used to measure self-criticism, a factor which serves the purpose of a lie scale. The remaining 90 items measure perceptions of the self from both an internal frame of reference and an external frame of reference. Items are structured in a 5-point Likert-type format with half of the items in each subscale worded in the negative direction. Two forms of the instrument are available. The Counseling Form of this instrument results in 13 scores excluding the self-criticism subscale. The Clinical and Research Form provides more information with a total of 29 scores.
Where Available: Western Psychological Services, 12031 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025-1251
Literature Reference: Byrne, B. M. (1996). Measuring self-concept across the life-span. Washington, DC: American Counseling Assoc.
Cost: $125.00 (includes 1 manual, 5 reusable test booklets, 10 hand-scored answer-profile sheets, 1 set of hand-scoring keys, and 2 prepaid Test-Report Mail-In Answer Sheets).
Intended Audience: Individuals 13 years of age and older with a Grade 4 reading level or higher. The revised manual contains normative data for adolescents.
Subscales: Counseling Form: Five external scales (physical, moral-ethical, personal, family, and social self-concepts); three internal scales (identity, behavior, and self-satisfaction); self-criticism score; four variability scores; and a time score.

Clinical and Research Form: In addition to the information found in the counseling form, it provides more detailed variability scores, additional lie and faking scores, and a number of empirically derived scores found to separate various clinical and nonclinical groups.
Psychometrics: Internal consistency reliability: Cronbach's alpha for 472 adolescents and adults produced a total score coefficient of .94 and subscale reliabilities ranging from .81 to .87. Total score stability coefficient over a two-week interval for 60 college students was .92 with subscales ranging from .80 to .91. Evidence of construct and content validity. Extensive and complete psychometric properties of the TSCS are available in the revised 1994 manual.
Advantages/Disadvantages Quick administration time of 10-20 minutes to individuals or groups. One of the more widely used self-concept measures. Hand- or computer-scoring available. The TSCS has received many negative reviews over the years especially regarding the lack of specific psychometric information; the current authors are addressing these limitations. A limitation is the fact that the normative sample was based on data extracted from independent studies published between 1969 and 1983.


Social Performance

Name: Measure of Adolescent Social Performance (MASP)
Author: T. A. Cavell & M. L. Kelley
Date: 1992
Instrument Description: The MASP is a new 50-item self-report multiple choice instrument intended to assess adolescent social functioning. Each item describes a problematic situation. Respondents indicate which of four response options is most like what they would do or say. Separate male and female forms of the instrument are available in which same-gender pronouns are used to refer to friends or peers.
Where Available: Timothy Cavell, Department of Psychology, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843-4235.
Literature Reference: Cavell, T. A., & Kelley, M. L. (1992). The measure of adolescent social performance: Development and initial validation. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 21, 107-114.
Cost: N/A
Intended Audience: Grades 6-12 (Ages 11-19).
Subscales: N/A
Psychometrics: Internal consistency as estimated by coefficient alpha is .87. Test-retest reliability is .82 for 111 of the 598 participants after a 2-week interval. Preliminary support for concurrent validity.
Advantages/Disadvantages New instrument requiring further psychometric testing. Potentially appropriate for broad range of adolescents due to male and female forms. The authors recommend the MASP be used in research as a general measure of adolescent social performance and clinically as an adjunctive tool when assessing social performance in specific situations.

Life Skills

Name: Life Skills Development Scale - Adolescent Form (LSDS-B)
Author: C. A. Darden, E. J. Ginter, & G. M. Gazda
Date: 1996
Instrument Description: The 65-item scale is intended to assess adolescents' perceptions of their own life-skills development in order to determine the need for developmental interventions. This self-report instrument produces a general score of global efficacy, and also provides some specific information regarding the four identified component parts: interpersonal communication/human relations skills; problem solving/decision making skills; physical fitness/health maintenance skills; and identity development/purpose in life skills.
Where Available: C. A. Darden, Learning Disabilities Center, 343 Milledge Hall, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-5554.
Literature Reference: Darden, C. A., Ginter, E. J., & Gazda, G. M. (1996). Life skills development scale - adolescent form: The theoretical and therapeutic relevance of life-skills. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 18, 142-163.
Cost: N/A
Intended Audience: Adolescents, ages 13-18.
Subscales: Four subscales stated as component parts above.
Psychometrics: Internal consistency is .94 for the total scale and ranged from .72 to .87 for the subscales. Interscale correlations were significant but in the low-to-moderate range.
Advantages/Disadvantages New instrument requiring further psychometric testing. The authors suggest the LSDS-B be used for research and as an aid in intervention design, implementation, and evaluation in clinical and educational settings.

Self-Efficacy

Name: Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale
Author: Cowen, Work, Hightower, Wyman, Parker, & Lotyczewski
Date: 1990
Instrument Description: This self-report instrument consists of 20 items with a 5-point Likert-type format intended to measure generalized self-efficacy or the confidence with which one can deal effectively with everyday problems and challenges. It contains a three-factor structure: New experiences; Difficult situations; and Problems with people.
Where Available: Emory Cowen, Center for Community Study, University of Rochester, 575 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620
Literature Reference: Hoeltje, C. O., Zubrick, S. R., Silburn, S. R., & Garton, A. F. (1996). Generalized self-efficacy: Family and adjustment correlates. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 25, 446-453.
Cost: N/A
Intended Audience: Designed for children; has been used with adolescents.
Subscales: None noted.
Psychometrics: Low to moderate reliabilities. Meaningful factor structure. Some evidence of convergent and divergent validity.
Advantages/Disadvantages Instrument is consistent with its theoretical underpinnings. Quick, easy administration. Needs further psychometric testing.


Name: Self-Efficacy Scale
Author: Sherer, Maddux, Mercandante, Prentice-Dunn, Jacobs, & Rogers
Date: 1982
Instrument Description: This self-report instrument measures general self-efficacy expectancies in relation to educational, vocational, and social areas. This 30-item scale contains 23 items with two distinct subscales and 7 filler items. A 5-point Likert-type format is used.
Where Available: See authors.
Literature Reference: Woodruff, S. L., & Cashman, J. F. (1993). Task, domain, and general efficacy: A reexamination of the self-efficacy scale. Psychological Reports, 72, 423-432.
Cost: N/A
Intended Audience: Adults
Subscales: Two subscales: general self-efficacy; and social self-efficacy.
Psychometrics: Reliability: Cronbach alpha coefficients of .84 for the general self-efficacy scale and .69 for the social self-efficacy scale. Evidence of construct and criterion validity.
Advantages/Disadvantages The instrument has not been verified as a general self-efficacy scale. Further psychometric research is needed. The scale would have to be adapted for an adolescent population.


Name: Adolescent Social Self-Efficacy Scale (S-EFF)
Author: Connolly
Date: 1989
Instrument Description: This instrument contains 25 items in a 7-point scale format. It is intended to assess adolescents' perceptions of efficacy in a variety of peer situations. Items cover potentially problematic areas such as social assertiveness, performance in public situations, participation in social groups, aspects of friendship and intimacy, and giving or receiving help.
Where Available: See authors.
Literature Reference: Inderbitzen, H. M. (1994). Adolescent peer social competence: A critical review of assessment methodologies and instruments. Advances in Clinical Child Psychology, 16, 227-259.
Cost: N/A
Intended Audience: Adolescents
Subscales: None noted.
Psychometrics: Internal consistency reliability: alphas from .90 to .95. Test-retest reliability at 2 weeks was .84. Responses on the S-EFF were significantly related to perceived self-concept and teacher ratings of social adjustment.
Advantages/Disadvantages There is no evidence of addressing he relationship of perceptions to actual behavior. Domain specificity of the scale, peer relationships.


Name: The Children's Sense of Coherence Scale (CSOC)
Author: Malka Margalit
Date: 1994
Instrument Description: This self-report instrument is adapted from the Antonovsky (1987) Orientation to Life (Sense of Coherence) scale and is a children's version. It consists of 16 questions describing the children's feelings of confidence in their world expressed through a sense of comprehensibility (understanding of their environment), a sense of manageability (feelings of control), and a sense of meaningfulness (motivation and interest). In addition, 3 distractor questions are included. This instrument was field tested with different Israeli samples.
Where Available: Malka Margalit, Ph. D., Associate Professor, School of Education, Tel Aviv University, P. O. Box 39040, Tel Aviv 69978 Israel.
Literature Reference: Margalit, M. (1994). How I Feel. Children's orientation scale. Tel Aviv, Israel: Tel Aviv University, School of Education.
Cost: N/A
Intended Audience: Designed for children ages 5-10 years old. May be adapted for adolescents.
Subscales: None noted.
Psychometrics: Reliability scores of .72 total, .74 for males, and .73 for females. Pearson correlations with the Asher's Loneliness Questionnaire revealed significant negative correlations. Positive significant correlations were found with Gresham's SSRS scores. Evidence of discriminant validity.
Advantages/Disadvantages No cross-cultural studies known. Group administration is only appropriate for students who can read at or above the second grade level. The instrument would have to be adapted for use with adolescents.


Behavior Rating Scales


Name: Walker-McConnell Scales of Social Competence and School Adjustment (SSCSA)
Author: H. M. Walker & S. R. McConnell
Date: 1988
Instrument Description: Both an elementary and an adolescent version are available. The adolescent version is a 53-item 5-point Likert-type rating scale containing four factor analytically derived subscales which describe social-behavioral competencies related to teacher-, peer-, and self-related school adjustment and social competence. This rating scale is intended for use by teachers or other adults to describe an adolescent's behavior.
Where Available: Pro-Ed, 5341 Industrial Oaks Boulevard, Austin, TX 78735
Literature Reference: Walker, H. M., & McConnell, S. R. (1995). Walker-McConnell scale of social competence and school adjustment. Adolescent version. User's manual. San Diego, CA: Singular Publishing Group, Inc.
Cost: N/A
Intended Audience: Adolescents, Grades 7-12.
Subscales: Four subscales: self control; peer relations; school adjustment; and empathy. Four subscale scores combined for a total score.
Psychometrics: Test-retest reliability over a 3-week period: ranged from .88 to .92. Internal consistency: alpha coefficients ranging from .95 to .97. Inter-rater reliability: .53 between teachers and classroom aides. Evidence of adequate item, concurrent, and discriminant validity.
Advantages/Disadvantages The scale requires no more than 10 minutes to complete. It was standardized on groups of approximately 2,000 students. The factor structure of the SSCSA is strong. It is not intended to measure problem behaviors. The user's manual suggests the adult completing the scale observe the adolescent for at least 6 to 8 weeks.


Name: Social Skills Rating System (SSRS)
Author: Clark, Gresham & Elliott
Date: 1985
Instrument Description: The SSRS focuses on behaviors which affect parent-child relations, teacher-student relations, and peer acceptance. Separate rating scales for teachers and parents are available, as well as a self-report form for students. Preschool, elementary, and secondary level versions are available. The teacher form, adolescent version, SSRS-T, contains 50 items rated on a 3-point scale. Factor analysis resulted in four factors: academic performance; social initiation; cooperation; and peer reinforcement.
Where Available: American Guidance Service, Publishers Building, Circle Pines, MN 54014-1796. (800) 328-2560
Literature Reference: Inderbitzen, H. M. (1994). Adolescent peer social competence: A critical review of assessment methodologies and instruments. Advances in Clinical Child Psychology, 16, 227-259.
Cost: N/A
Intended Audience: Adolescents, Grades 7-12.
Subscales: Three scales: social skills (cooperation, assertion, self-control); problem behaviors (externalizing problems, internalizing problems, hyperactivity); and academic competence (academic functioning, performance in specific academic areas, student motivation level, general cognitive functioning, parental support).
Psychometrics: Internal consistency reliability: alpha's from .75 to .93. Test-retest reliability at 4 weeks: in the .80 range. Criterion-related and construct validity were established by finding significant correlations between the SSRS and other rating scales.
Advantages/Disadvantages A strength of this instrument lies in its integrative approach with forms for teachers, parents, and adolescents. The social skills section of the manual is comprehensive, yet the academic competence and problem behaviors sections are brief. The SSRS was standardized on a sample of more than 4,000 children. The psychometric properties of the self-report forms do not appear as strong as the parent and teacher forms.


Name: School Social Behaviors Scales (SSBS)
Author: Merrell
Date: 1993
Instrument Description: This instrument was developed for use by teachers and other school personnel to assess social competence and antisocial problem behaviors. It contains two separate scales with a total of 65 items rated with a 5-point format. Each scale yields a total score.
Where Available: Clinical Psychology Publishing Company, 4 Conant Square, Brandon, VT 05733. (800) 433-8234
Literature Reference: Merrell, K. W., & Gimpel, G. A. (1998). Social skills of children and adolescents. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Assoc.
Cost: N/A
Intended Audience: Grades K-12.
Subscales: Each of the two scales have three subscales: Social Competence (interpersonal skills, self-management skills, academic skills); Antisocial Behavior (hostile-irritable, antisocial-aggressive, disruptive-demanding).
Psychometrics: Internal consistency and split-half reliability coefficients range from .91 to .98. Test-retest reliability at 3-week intervals range from .76 to .83 for the social competence scale and .60 to .73 for the antisocial behavior scale. Inter-rater reliability from .72 to .83 for social competence scale and .53 to .71 for the antisocial behavior scale. Strong convergent construct validity. Good construct validity. Strong factor structure of the two scales.
Advantages/Disadvantages The scales were standardized with a group of more than 1900 K-12 students. This instrument appears easy to use and appropriate for a school setting.



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