Reliability of the Behavior Problems Inventory

Abstract

The Behavior Problems Inventory (BPI) is a 29-item checklist for self-injurious, stereotypic, and aggressive behavior in persons with mental retardation. The BPI was originally developed for screening and classification of self-injury and stereotyped behavior in epidemiological studies (Rojahn, 1984, 1986), and was later expanded to include acts of aggression against others. The instrument has been used in structured interviews with residential staff and in self-administered fashion for a mail survey with teachers and mental retardation workers. This paper presents a new data set on interrater and retest reliability and compares it with previously published data. The majority of items achieved acceptable reliability levels, particularly those on aggression against others. More difficult to agree upon were some obscure self-injuries, such as pica, air swallowing, and extreme drinking. Further psychometric studies are recommended.