ERIC Number: EJ1422275
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Apr
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-2073-7629
Available Date: N/A
Measuring Social and Emotional Learning Skills of Preschool Children in Croatia: Initial Validation of the SSIS SEL Brief Scales
Sanja Tatalovic Vorkapic; Christopher J. Anthony; Stephen N. Elliott; Ilaria Grazzani; Valeria Cavioni
International Journal of Emotional Education, v16 n1 p50-69 2024
Although there is increased interest in social and emotional competence and mental health in Croatia, there are currently limited measurement options available for early childhood settings. Thus, the SSIS SEL Brief Scales (SSIS SELb), an efficient measure of social and emotional learning competencies developed in the United States, was translated to Croatian and used by 49 early childhood educators to rate a sample of 685 children (average age 4.3 years) from several counties in Croatia. Regarding measurement invariance, the final model cohered substantially with a CASEL-inspired framework. Overall reliability was also high especially for the SEL Composite ([alpha] = 0.94), with notably lower reliability for subscales. Regarding cross-group concurrent validity, concurrent coefficients were largely similar across age and gender, but there were regional differences in validity. Likewise, validity correlations were in line with expectations, with moderate relationships observed between the SSIS SEL Composite and Child and Youth Resilience Measure scores. In sum, the high level of reliability provided a foundation for applied and research usage of the Croatian SSIS SELb, although further validation research will continue to be necessary before widescale implementation. Limitations to the study are discussed and also point to needed additional research before utilizing the Croatian translated SSIS SELb for applied decisions with young children.
Descriptors: Social Emotional Learning, Preschool Children, Foreign Countries, Resilience (Psychology), Age Differences, Gender Differences, Correlation, Reliability, Scores, Measures (Individuals), Validity
Centre for Resilience and Socio-Emotional Health. Old Humanities Building (OH) Room 241, University of Malta, MSD 2080, Malta. Tel: +356-2340-3014; Web site: http://www.um.edu.mt/ijee
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Croatia
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Social Skills Improvement System Rating Scales
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A