Abstract
This paper describes the initial development of the Friendships and Social Skills Test (FASST), a clinically oriented 25-item parent report measure of child peer relationships and social skills in a community (N = 423) and clinical sample (N = 159) of elementary school age children. Confirmatory factor analyses supported five factors measuring pro-social skills, negative peer directed behavior, friendship interactions, peer victimization, and the level of concern expressed about a child’s social functioning. Internal consistency and test–retest reliability of the FASST factors predominately ranged from moderate to very good. Validity was supported through higher scores in at-risk and clinical groups compared to children in the community and through correlations with an existing measure of social skills and emotional and behavioral functioning. Cross-informant validity was supported by correlations with teacher-report. Moreover, the scales measuring negative social behaviors and pro-social skills predicted changes in peer victimization and concern expressed about the child over a 1-year duration. By assessing positive and negative aspects of peer-directed behaviors and relationships the FASST has the potential to facilitate the identification and treatment of childhood social deficits in mental health settings.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1777-1788 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Journal of Child and Family Studies |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 1 2016 |
Keywords
- Assessment
- Parent report
- Peer acceptance
- Social skills
- Victimization
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Life-span and Life-course Studies