The Social Skills Rating System (SSRS) and the Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS) : Adaptations and applications beyond the United States

Abstract

The Social Skills Rating System (SSRS) and the Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS), including the SEL Edition and Brief Scales, are widely used instruments for assessing children’s social skills, problem behaviours, and academic competence. This narrative overview synthesizes 195 international studies (1995–2025) applying these instruments with children and adolescents outside the United States. Studies were examined for publication trends, geographic distribution, instrument versions, informants, age ranges, participant characteristics, settings, languages, and study purposes, based on a comprehensive search of six databases, with supplementary searches identifying additional studies. Europe, the Americas, and Asia were the most represented regions, with Brazil, Canada, Australia, Iran, and Portugal contributing over half of all research. The SSRS and SSIS parent and teacher reports were most common, and school age children (6–12 years) in mainstream settings were most frequently studied. Studies primarily focused on screening and assessment, including correlational analyses, followed by intervention evaluations, and, finally, adaptation and psychometric investigations. Findings highlight the global reach, versatility, and cross-cultural relevance of SSRS–SSIS instruments while identifying gaps for future research.