The Parent Version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire

The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a widely used screening instrument for child psychopathology. Many studies have consistently reported rather low α values for certain subscales for the SDQ parent version. Further, the factor structure has not been tested frequently by using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA); research into measurement invariance is even scarcer. Therefore, this study evaluates the internal reliability and tests for measurement invariance for the SDQ parent version. In a Dutch sample of 1,484 children we examined reliability by using coefficient ω and tested for invariance across several subgroups. Also, we conducted CFA to examine the five-factor structure of the SDQ. ω yielded higher values than α did, which supports the use of ω in a SEM-based framework. Support for measurement invariance was found on the configural, metric, and scalar level, and as expected, the five-factor structure was confirmed. Scholars are advised to consider ω as an alternative to α, seeing that various problems with α have been discussed. Support for measurement invariance was found for several demographic variables, so that meaningful group comparisons can now be made for the SDQ parent version.

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Psychometric Properties of the Dutch Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in Adolescent Community and Clinical Populations

Assessment ◽

10.1177/1073191118804082 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 27 (7) ◽

pp. 1476-1489 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jorien Vugteveen ◽

Annelies de Bildt ◽

Marike Serra ◽

Marianne S. de Wolff ◽

Marieke E. Timmerman

Keyword(s):

Measurement Invariance ◽

Factor Structure ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Strengths And Difficulties Questionnaire ◽

Community Settings ◽

Community Based ◽

Confirmatory Factor Analyses ◽

Confirmatory Factor ◽

Strengths And Difficulties ◽

Sum Scores

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.

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The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: Factor Structure of the Father-Report and Parent Agreement in 2-Year-Old Children

Assessment ◽

10.1177/1073191117698757 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 26 (6) ◽

pp. 1059-1069 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Stephanie D’Souza ◽

Karen E. Waldie ◽

Elizabeth R. Peterson ◽

Lisa Underwood ◽

Susan M. B. Morton

Keyword(s):

Measurement Invariance ◽

Factor Structure ◽

Factor Model ◽

Five Factor Model ◽

Strengths And Difficulties Questionnaire ◽

Growing Up ◽

Modified Model ◽

Mothers And Fathers ◽

Confirmatory Factor ◽

Strengths And Difficulties

There is limited research on the preschool version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and comparisons between mothers and fathers as informants and whether the factor structure shows measurement invariance across parents is lacking. Our study involved mothers ( n = 6,246) and fathers ( n = 3,759) of 2-year-old children from the Growing Up in New Zealand birth cohort. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate the factor structure of the SDQ and test for measurement invariance across mothers and fathers. For fathers, we found support for a modified five-factor model that accounts for a positive construal method effect. Internal consistency was good for measures except peer problems. Full measurement invariance of this modified model was found across mothers and fathers, and parents showed moderate agreement in their SDQ ratings (0.34 ≤ r ≤ 0.44). More research is needed on whether mother- and father-reports differ in sensitivity when screening for early childhood psychiatric disorders.

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Measurement Invariance of the Parent Version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) Across Community and Clinical Populations

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759/a000339 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 34 (4) ◽

pp. 238-246 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Iris A. M. Smits ◽

Meinou H. C. Theunissen ◽

Sijmen A. Reijneveld ◽

Maaike H. Nauta ◽

Marieke E. Timmerman

Keyword(s):

Measurement Invariance ◽

Clinical Sample ◽

Community Sample ◽

Strengths And Difficulties Questionnaire ◽

Emotional And Behavioral Problems ◽

Clinical Settings ◽

Favorable Result ◽

Strengths And Difficulties ◽

Parent Version ◽

Clinical Populations

Abstract. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a popular screening instrument for the detection of social-emotional and behavioral problems in children in community and clinical settings. To sensibly compare SDQ scores across these settings, the SDQ should measure psychosocial difficulties and strengths in the same way across community and clinical populations, that is, the SDQ should be measurement invariant across both populations. We examined whether measurement invariance of the parent version of the SDQ holds using data from a community sample (N = 707) and a clinical sample (N = 931). The results of our analysis suggest that measurement invariance of the SDQ parent version across community and clinical populations is tenable, implying that one can compare the SDQ scores of children across these populations. This is a favorable result since it is common clinical practice to interpret the scores of a clinical individual relative to norm scores that are based on community samples. The findings of this study support the continued use of the parent version of the SDQ in community and clinical settings.

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Parent Ratings of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: What Is the Optimum Factor Model?

Assessment ◽

10.1177/1073191117721743 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 26 (6) ◽

pp. 1142-1153 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rapson Gomez ◽

Vasilis Stavropoulos

Keyword(s):

Factor Model ◽

Structural Models ◽

Strengths And Difficulties Questionnaire ◽

Parent Ratings ◽

Research Practice ◽

Peer Problems ◽

Confirmatory Factor ◽

Strengths And Difficulties ◽

Age Range ◽

Parent Version

To date, at least 12 different models have been suggested for the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The current study used confirmatory factor analysis to examine the relative support for these models. In all, 1,407 Malaysian parents completed SDQ ratings of their children (age range = 5-13 years). Although the findings showed some degree of support for all 12 models, there was most support for an oblique six-factor model that included the five SDQ domains (emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity, peer problems, and low prosocial behavior) and a positive construal factor comprising all the 10 SDQ positive worded items. The original proposed five-factor oblique model also showed good fit. The implications of the findings for understanding the results of past studies of the structural models of the parent version of the SDQ, and for clinical and research practice involving the SDQ are discussed.

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Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in a Community Sample of French-Speaking Adolescents

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759.24.1.1 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Mathieu d'Acremont ◽

Martial Van der Linden

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Confirmatory Factor Analysis ◽

Conduct Problems ◽

Community Sample ◽

Strengths And Difficulties Questionnaire ◽

Emotional Symptoms ◽

Internal Reliability ◽

Peer Problems ◽

Confirmatory Factor ◽

Strengths And Difficulties

Abstract. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) assesses adaptive and problematic behavior in children and adolescents ( Goodman, 1997 ). The aim of this study was to test the construct validity of a French translation of the scale. Teachers completed the SDQ for their pupils (279 girls and 278 boys, 13-18 years). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the SDQ supported the original distinction between Conduct problems, Hyperactivity/Inattention, Peer problems, Emotional symptoms, and Prosocial behavior. Multigroup CFA revealed invariance of factor measurement across gender. In addition, boys had higher factor scores for Conduct problems, Hyperactivity/Inattention, and Peer problems whereas girls were more Prosocial. The internal reliability of the subscales ranges from acceptable to very good. These results indicate that the French version of the SDQ has a reliable factor organization among adolescent boys and girls.

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Malaysian Parent Ratings of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: Factor Structure and Measurement Invariance Across Language Versions, Gender, Informants, and Race

Assessment ◽

10.1177/1073191118787284 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 27 (8) ◽

pp. 1971-1984 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rapson Gomez ◽

Vasileios Stavropoulos

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Measurement Invariance ◽

Factor Model ◽

Strengths And Difficulties Questionnaire ◽

Racial Groups ◽

Parent Ratings ◽

Research Practice ◽

Multiple Group ◽

Confirmatory Factor ◽

Strengths And Difficulties

For a Malaysian sample, the current study used exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to determine the best model for parent ratings of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and then multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis (MCFA) to confirm this model, and to examine measurement invariance across different language versions (Malay and English), child’s gender (boys and girls), informants (mothers and fathers), and racial groups (Malay, Chinese, and Indians). In all 1,407 Malaysian parents completed SDQ ratings of their children (age ranging from 5 to 13 years). The EFA showed most support for a two-factor model oblique model, with factors for a positive construal factor and a psychopathology factor. CFA confirmed this model, and MCFA showed full measurement invariance (configural, metric. and scalar) across the groups in the different comparisons. For all comparisons, there were equivalencies for latent mean scores. The implications of the findings for clinical and research practice involving the SDQ in Malaysia are discussed.

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The Factor Structure of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759.23.2.105 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 105-112 ◽

Cited By ~ 47

Author(s):

David Mellor ◽

Mark Stokes

Keyword(s):

Factor Structure ◽

Behavioral Problems ◽

Community Sample ◽

Strengths And Difficulties Questionnaire ◽

Underlying Structure ◽

Factor Analyses ◽

Confirmatory Factor Analyses ◽

Confirmatory Factor ◽

Strengths And Difficulties ◽

Matched Data

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.

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Age Appropriateness of the Self-Report Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire

Assessment ◽

10.1177/1073191120903382 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 107319112090338

Author(s):

Louise Black ◽

Rosie Mansfield ◽

Margarita Panayiotou

Keyword(s):

Measurement Invariance ◽

Factor Structure ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Age Groups ◽

Quality Criteria ◽

The Self ◽

Strengths And Difficulties Questionnaire ◽

Self Report ◽

Wide Range ◽

Strengths And Difficulties

The self-report version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire is widely used in clinical and research settings. However, the measure’s suitability for younger adolescents has recently been called into question by readability analysis. To provide further insight into the age-appropriateness of the self-report Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, readability was assessed at the item level alongside consideration of item quality criteria, its factor structure was analyzed, and measurement invariance between adolescents in Year 7 (age 11-12 years) versus Year 9 (age 13-15 years) was tested. The measure showed a wide range of reading ages, and the theorized factor structure was unacceptable. Measurement invariance was therefore considered for a flexible exploratory structural equation model, and no evidence of differences between age groups was found. Suggestions are made for the measure’s revision based on these findings.

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