Children's Evaluation of Everyday Social Encounters Questionnaire: Short Form Validation

This study validated a short form of the Children's Evaluation of Everyday Social Encounters Questionnaire (ChEESE-Q). Fifth- to eighth-grade children (N = 241) completed a two-vignette version of the ChEESE-Q (i.e., ChEESE-Q SF), along with measures of adjustment and affect. The ChEESE-Q SF fit the same three-factor structure as the original ChEESE-Q, with each factor-based subscale being invariant across grade and gender. Results also indicated that the ChEESE-Q could not only be shortened at the vignette level, but at the item level as well, maintaining excellent model fit with the same three factor structure. ChEESE-Q SF subscale scores demonstrated acceptable internal consistency and correlated with related constructs in expected directions. Negative information processing was associated with higher anxious and depressive symptomology and negative affect. Positive information processing was associated with lower depressive symptomology, and higher positive affect. Analysis of a secondary sample of third- to sixth-grade youth (N = 252) also demonstrated adequate test-retest reliability. This study provided validation for a shortened version of the ChEESE-Q, and more support for specific styles of information processing. Validation of a short form enables researchers to assess social information processing in a multifaceted and comprehensive, yet resource-efficient way.