Abstract
The Social Skills Rating System is one of the most frequently cited measures in the literature to assess social skills of children, with quite satisfactory reliability and validity properties in several countries. The Brazilian version of the instrument was subjected to validation processes at two different times, using two methods of Factor Analysis: Principal Components (SSRS-BR, 2009) and Principal Axis Factoring (PAF) with subsequent Confirmatory Factor Analysis (SSRS-BR2, 2015). The purpose of this article is to compare the psychometric indicators of the two Brazilian versions of these scales, presenting their differences and similarities in terms of: (a) extraction methods and data analysis, (b) psychometric indices of factor structure and reliability and (c) final factorial composition and content of the scales. Possible psychometric refinements arising from the SSRS-BR2 are discussed, as well as its implications for evaluation procedures of social skills in children.
Keywords:
social skills; factor analysis; validation of scales; children