Analyses of the data from the Michigan Clinic Study revealed the need for a culturally sensitive measure of emotional and behavioral problems for African American youth. In order to obtain a better understanding of the new items from the clinics which did not exist on Achenbach's (1991) Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), focus groups were conducted. The purpose of the focus groups was to assess how parents, teachers, social workers, clinicians as well as African American youth themselves would describe both poorly and well adjusted African American children.
We compiled the data from the clinics and focus groups into Parent, Teacher, and Youth versions of an African American measure of Emotional and Behavioral Problems. After compiling this measure, pilot data were collected in Detroit from a variety of schools and clinics. In addition to having parents, teachers, and youth complete the measures, data were collected from additional parents, teachers, and youth who rated the instructions/directions and each item on clarity, relevance, and representativeness. That is, they rated the clarity of meaning of each item, the relevance of each item for understanding the adjustment of African American youth, and the representativeness of each item. Analyses of this pilot data, revealed good clarity, relevance, and representativeness of the items.
Stan, and then Ioanna, then began construction of a youth measure for younger children (affectionately referred to as the YAAM). This measure was piloted during the Summer of 1998 under Valerie's guidance and revised by Ioanna and Chris Ketchman.
Location of Parent, Teacher, Youth measures: Masters are kept at University Printing in a folder called "Lambert". No final disk copy exists in the lab; however, preliminary versions are in "Cheryl's folder" on Sam. A master hard copy is also kept in drawer to left of Sam in folder called "African American Measures"
Pilot Data files:
On Frasier, Two sets of data exist with slightly different formats. This may reflect the two sites but it may also be that some people filled out more items on their questionnaire.
Record keeping and Datasets:
In the summer and fall of 1998, data from multiple sites will be collected using these measures. Jeni and Valerie are spear-heading data collection with assistance from Angela Shanley (senior undergraduate std). Data files are managed by Jeni and Valerie.
Status of project: Fall of 1998, massive data collection for norming of these measures.