Abstract

FREITAS, Lucas Cordeiro  and  DEL PRETTE, Zilda Aparecida Pereira. Criterion validity of the social skills rating system (SSRS-BR). Psicol. Reflex. Crit. [online]. 2010, vol.23, n.3, pp. 430-439. ISSN 0102-7972.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-79722010000300003.

This study carried out the analysis of the criterion validity of the Brazilian version of the Social Skills Rating System (SSRS-BR). The results of a sample of 84 children with mental disability were compared with a sample of 496 children with typical development. The children and their teachers evaluated social skills, behavior problems and academic competence using the SSRS-BR. In all global scales and in most subscales the instruments of self-evaluation and evaluations done by teachers were sensitive to, significantly, differentiate children with and without mental disability in the constructs measured by the SSRS-BR. This study provides the instrument for future researches as well as for the development of evaluation procedures and intervention programs for children with mental disability.

Keywords : Social skills; Mental disability; Criterion validity; Behavior problems; Children.