Validation of a Measurement Model to Identify Socio-emotional Difficulties in Preschool Children: The Preschool Pediatric Symptom Checklist-Chilean Version.

Abstract

Identifying issues in early childhood enables timely interventions, potentially mitigating future mental health risks. In this context, this study seeks to validate the model of Preschool Pediatric Symptom Checklist for detecting social and emotional challenges among Chilean preschoolers, as reported by their caregivers. In the first stage, 36 cognitive interviews using the published Spanish version of the PPSC were conducted with caregivers, parents and/or teachers of preschool aged children, so that they could review the questions and be sure that they understood them. In stage 2, 12 experts checked the questions for coherence and consistency. As a result, only one item was slightly modified. Then, 1009 preschool caregivers answered the preliminary version of the Chilean-adapted scale (PPSC-CL). Taking into account the minor changes incorporated in the scale, and using latent variable analysis techniques, it was possible to obtain evidence of validity for the four-factor structure of the PPSC-CL. Additionally, by using the questions about children's difficulties, a robust bifactor model was established, highlighting the presence of a general factor whose items have a specific component that sustain the existence of latent dimensions for internalizing, externalizing, and attentional problems. Thanks to this advancement, it will now be possible to identify and report the occurrence of global mental health challenges in preschool-aged children.