DEVELOPMENT AND STANDARDIZATION OF THE BEHAVIOR DISORDER CHARACTERISTICS INVENTORY (BDCI) FOR ADOLESCENT STUDENTS IN UTTAR PRADESH

Abstract

The present study aimed to develop, standardize, and validate the Adolescent Behavioral Characteristics Scale (ABCS-UP), an indigenous psychometric instrument designed to assess behavioral traits and difficulties among adolescents in secondary schools of Uttar Pradesh, India. The scale was developed through a systematic, multi-phase process, including formulation of objectives, item generation, expert validation, preliminary tryout, standardization, and psychometric evaluation. The initial item pool comprised 158 statements across ten major behavioral dimensions, which were refined to 140 items after expert review. Item analysis using Edwards’ (1957) method resulted in a final 100-item scale, with each item rated on a five-point Likert scale. Test–retest reliability coefficients across subscales ranged from 0.73 to 0.85, indicating satisfactory temporal stability. Criterion validity, assessed using the Child Behaviour Assessment Instrument (Samarakkody, 2010), yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.768. The ABCS-UP, demonstrated strong psychometric properties and cultural suitability for evaluating behavioral difficulties among adolescents in Uttar Pradesh. This study underscores the importance of context-specific instruments for early identification and intervention in school-based mental health programs.