The Factor Structure of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire

2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Mellor ◽  
Mark Stokes

Abstract. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) has been widely adopted as a measure of child and adolescent mental health and behavioral problems. However, despite an impressive number of studies demonstrating its psychometric properties, appropriate analyses of the instrument's underlying structure have not been reported. We conducted confirmatory factor analyses on matched data obtained from a large community sample of 7-17-year-olds, their parents, and their teachers. The analyses indicated that the reputed factor structure was not supported, with none of the subscales being unidimensional. Further, each informant group appeared to respond differently to the questionnaire. Considering the findings in relation to the stringency of the tests used to evaluate the SDQ, its utility, and previous research on its clinical validity, it is suggested that the SDQ be used with caution and in conjunction with other forms of assessment.

Assessment ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 1476-1489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorien Vugteveen ◽  
Annelies de Bildt ◽  
Marike Serra ◽  
Marianne S. de Wolff ◽  
Marieke E. Timmerman

This study assessed the factor structures of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) adolescent and parent versions and their measurement invariance across settings in clinical ( n = 4,053) and community ( n = 962) samples of Dutch adolescents aged 12 to 17 years. Per SDQ version, confirmatory factor analyses were performed to assess its factor structure in clinical and community settings and to test for measurement invariance across these settings. The results suggest measurement invariance of the presumed five-factor structure for the parent version and a six-factor structure for the adolescent version. Furthermore, evaluation of the SDQ scale sum scores as used in practice, indicated that working with sum scores yields a fairly reasonable approximation of working with the favorable but less easily computed factor scores. These findings suggest that adolescent- and parent-reported SDQ scores can be interpreted using community-based norm scores, regardless of whether the adolescent has been referred for mental health problems.


2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 299-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Kóbor ◽  
Ádám Takács ◽  
Róbert Urbán

The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a frequently used instrument developed for screening childhood mental health problems. The aim of this study is to clarify the structure of the Hungarian version of SDQ, to test previous measurement models, and to propose an alternative bifactor model. Data were collected from a community sample of 8–13-year-old children. We conducted a series of confirmatory factor analyses on parent (n = 383) and teacher ratings (n = 391). The classic five-factor, an alternative three-factor, and a bifactor model were estimated. In the bifactor model, specific components refer to the five SDQ-traits, and the General Problems factor refers to an impression about the problem severity of the child. For both informants, the bifactor model yielded the best fit to the data compared to other models. Childhood behavioral problems can be best described as a multidimensional construct, which has implications regarding the screening procedure in various samples.


1997 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul K. Presson ◽  
Steven C. Clark ◽  
Victor A. Benassi

Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to test the factor structure of several versions of Levenson's (1973) locus of control scales. Two- and three-factor models based on all 24 of Levenson's items and on 20 of her items were tested. The 3-factor models provided a good fit. Models proposed by R. M. Shewchuk, G. A. Foelker Jr., and G. Niederehe (1990) and R. M. Shewchuk, G. A Foelker Jr., C. J. Camp, and F. Blanchard-Fields (1992) also provided a good fit of the data. In concurrent and prospective tests of the predictive ability of the various models, the 24 and 20 item versions of Levenson's models accounted for a significant amount of variance In depressive symptomatology. The three-factor models revealed that only scores on the chance scale reliably predicted time 2 depressive symptomatology. Neither of the models proposed by Shewchuk and colleagues accounted for a significant amount of variance.


2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Fernández-Capo ◽  
Silvia Recoder ◽  
Juana Gómez-Benito ◽  
María Gámiz ◽  
Pilar Gual ◽  
...  

<p>Introduction: The Transgression-Related Interpersonal Motivation (TRIM-18) Inventory is an instrument that assesses episodic forgiveness. This scale is composed of three subscales: <em>avoidance</em>, <em>revenge</em> and <em>benevolence</em>. The present study examined the dimensionality of the Spanish version of the TRIM-18 (TRIM-18-S) and provided evidence of validity and reliability. Method: A total of 943 participants completed the TRIM-18-S.  A subset of 277 participants completed additional measures of empathy, anger, and information regarding the relation with the offender. Results: The TRIM-18-S showed good psychometric properties, and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a three-factor structure. Conclusions: The scale presents adequate psychometric properties for its potential use in a Spanish population.</p><p> </p>


2020 ◽  
pp. 089484532090179
Author(s):  
Dian R. Sawitri ◽  
Peter A. Creed ◽  
Mirwan S. Perdhana

As there was no existing, psychometrically sound scale that directly assessed the discrepancies that young people experience between individual-set career goals and parent-set career goals, we developed and provided initial validation for a 15-item scale for use with young adults. In Study 1, items were developed, reviewed by experts, and administered to a sample of first year, undergraduate Indonesian students ( N = 426, M age = 18.42 years). We used exploratory factor analysis to reduce the number of items and assess the factor structure and used confirmatory factor analyses on a holdout sample to assess this underlying structure. We then provided evidence for construct validity. Recommendations for use in research and practice are discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 247-252
Author(s):  
Bernard Schachtel ◽  
Adam B Smith ◽  
Adrian Shephard

Aim: The Qualities of Sore Throat Index (QuaSTI) assesses the status of patient-reported pharyngeal pain. One study used QuaSTI in isolation; a separate study used QuaSTI plus the Sore Throat Scale (STS). Both studies also used a Sore Throat Pain Intensity Scale (STPIS). This study evaluates STS and STPIS as instruments to refine the QuaSTI. Materials & methods: Correlational analysis determined the degree of association between STPIS and STS. Confirmatory factor analyses evaluated the proposed factor structure of QuaSTI. Results: A strong correlation between STS and STPIS (r = 0.91; p < 0.01), supports the use of STS in QuaSTI. Analyses confirm a three-factor structure for the 10-item QuaSTI and validate inclusion of an additional item to create an 11-item tool for measuring pharyngeal pain. Conclusion: The QuaSTI represents a robust and validated tool for measuring therapeutic effects in patients with pharyngitis.


2001 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 449-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johnny R. J. Fontaine ◽  
Patrick Luyten ◽  
Paul De Boeck ◽  
Jozef Corveleyn

Item analyses and confirmatory factor analyses on the Test of Self‐Conscious Affect (TOSCA), in a student (N = 723) and an adult (N = 891) sample, supported the theorized four factor structure of proneness to reparation, negative self‐evaluation, externalizing blame and unconcern. However, two‐fifth of the items did not empirically differentiate between two or more factors. Differential TOSCA scales, including only differentiating TOSCA items, were constructed and related to measures of long‐term affect, depression, anxiety, and anger. Both the pattern and size of correlations of the original and the differential TOSCA scales were almost identical. Results of this study support the interpretation of TOSCA guilt as a measure of a tendency to reparation associated with guilt and TOSCA shame as a measure of a tendency to global negative self‐evaluation. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Assessment ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 766-786 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. Louis ◽  
Alex M. Wood ◽  
George Lockwood

The factor structure of an initial item pool of 207 positive parenting items was investigated (Manila; n = 520, 538) to develop the Positive Parenting Schema Inventory. Single group and multigroup confirmatory factor analyses of the Positive Parenting Schema Inventory showed invariance of the factor structure in six out of the seven levels on two other independent samples (Eastern, Indonesia; n = 366, 383; Western, the United States; n = 204, 214). Good values for reliability were obtained for its seven subscales (50 items) using coefficient omegas (.71 to .95). Evidence of validity based on test content, response processes (item responses to desired inferences), internal structure (exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses), relations to other variables (correlations with other instruments), and consequences of testing (correlations with positive schemas) were demonstrated. A core tenet of schema therapy theory was supported in that recall of past positive parenting patterns were associated with current levels of positive schemas.


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