Description

The Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scales (PKBS-34) is a psychometric assessment tool designed to evaluate social skills and problematic behaviors in preschool and kindergarten children. The instrument is intended for children aged 3 to 6 years and is completed based on observations provided by parents and/or educators within preschool settings.

The PKBS-34 consists of two distinct subscales: the Social Skills Scale and the Problem Behavior Scale. It provides information regarding children’s adaptive social functioning as well as behavioral difficulties that may affect development and participation in educational environments.

Objective

The primary objective of the PKBS-34 is to assess children’s social competence and identify behavioral difficulties during early childhood.

The scale aims to evaluate important developmental characteristics, including cooperation, self-control, social interaction, emotional regulation, and the presence of problematic behaviors.

The results can support early identification of developmental concerns and guide educational, clinical, and research interventions.

Structure and Content

The PKBS-34 includes 34 items, divided equally into two subscales.

The Social Skills Scale consists of 17 statements assessing:

Cooperation skills.

Self-control.

Social interaction abilities.

The Problem Behavior Scale consists of 17 statements evaluating problematic behaviors, including:

Externalizing behaviors, such as impulsivity and aggression.

Internalizing behaviors, such as withdrawal.

Scoring

Each of the 34 items is rated using a four-point Likert scale:

0 = Never
1 = Rarely
2 = Sometimes
3 = Often

Scores are calculated separately for each subscale by summing the corresponding item responses.

Higher scores on the Social Skills Scale indicate better social adjustment, whereas higher scores on the Problem Behavior Scale indicate increased levels of problematic behaviors.

Data Analysis and Use

The PKBS-34 scores can be converted into standard scores, allowing comparison with normative data and identification of children who may present developmental difficulties.

The tool can be applied in:

Educational settings for monitoring children’s social and behavioral development.

Clinical contexts for assessment and early intervention planning.

Research studies examining preschool development and behavioral adjustment.

Statistical Analysis

Statistical evaluation of the PKBS-34 includes reliability and validity analyses.

Factor analysis supports the distinction between social skills and behavioral problems, confirming the separation between adaptive social functioning and externalizing/internalizing difficulties.

Descriptive statistics may be used to examine children’s social skills and behavioral profiles, while comparative analyses can identify differences according to demographic or developmental characteristics.

Validity

The validity of the PKBS-34 is supported by research findings and factor analyses confirming the two-factor structure of the instrument, distinguishing social skills from problem behaviors.

The instrument has also been translated and adapted for the Greek population, supporting its applicability in Greek educational and research settings.

Reliability

The reliability of the PKBS-34 demonstrates satisfactory internal consistency.

For the Social Skills Scale, Cronbach’s alpha is 0.86, while for the Problem Behavior Scale, Cronbach’s alpha is 0.78.

Test–retest reliability over a three-month period was reported as 0.58 for social skills and 0.69 for problem behaviors, indicating acceptable stability over time.

References

Chiou, V., Zissi, A., Xanthakou, G., & Kaila, M. (2005). An interpersonal problem-solving intervention among preschoolers in Greece. Paper presented at the 27th Annual Conference of International School Psychology Association, Athens, Greece.

Chiou, V., Zissi, A., Xanthakou, G., & Kaila, M. (2005). Presentation of psychometric properties of PKBS-2 in the Greek sample. In A. Zissi, N. Polemikos, & M. Kaila (Eds.), Mental Health (pp. 124–149). Athens: Atrapós.

Merrell, K. (2002). Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scales.