Is the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire applicable to lower educated adolescents?

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Theunissen ◽  
M de Wolff
Keyword(s):  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties Questionnaire ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Emotional And Behavioral Problems ◽  
Highly Educated ◽  
Preventive Child Healthcare ◽  
Valid Instrument ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties ◽  
Optimal Implementation

Abstract Background The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire self-report (SDQ-SR) is a widely used instrument to identify emotional and behavioral problems by Preventive Child Healthcare (PCH). It is a valid instrument in more highly educated adolescents, however evidence regarding lower educated adolescents (vocational school) is lacking. The aim of this study was to compare the psychometric properties of the SDQ-SR when used with less well and more highly educated ('higher') adolescents, and to explore opinions of adolescents and PCH professionals regarding its suitability. Methods We included 426 adolescents (130 lower and 296 higher educated), who completed the SDQ-SR. We compared how the psychometric properties (i.e. internal consistency) applied to lower and higher educated adolescents. We assessed whether the five-factor structure of the SDQ is invariant across different educational levels. Moreover, we interviewed 24 adolescents from pre-vocational secondary education schools, and performed online focus group interviews with 17 PCH professionals. Results The internal consistencies (Cronbach's alphas) per SDQ scale were comparable for lower and higher educated adolescents. On most subscales the lower educated adolescents had higher mean scores than the higher educated adolescents. Findings on differences by educational level for the other psychometric properties, i.e. multi-group invariance and single group (CFA) analyses, were inconsistent, with some measures showing unequal factor loadings but others not. Although professionals and lower educated adolescents reported that the SDQ includes many outdated and difficult words, professionals nevertheless perceived the SDQ-SR as a valid instrument. Conclusions The psychometric properties of the SDQ-SR are sufficient for use among lower educated adolescents. However, for optimal implementation in PCH there is a need for improvement in the wording of the SDQ, as expressed by both professionals and adolescents. Key messages The psychometric properties of the SDQ are sufficient for use among lower educated adolescents. For optimal implementation the SDQ needs to be updated in more understandable language.

Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: Psychometric Properties and Normative Data for Spanish 5- to 17-Year-Olds

Assessment ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 107319112091892 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma Español-Martín ◽  
Mireia Pagerols ◽  
Raquel Prat ◽  
Cristina Rivas ◽  
Laura Sixto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Measurement Invariance ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Normative Data ◽  
Child Behavior Checklist ◽  
Five Factor Model ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties Questionnaire ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Emotional And Behavioral Problems ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties

The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) has been extensively used to measure common forms of psychopathology among children and adolescents. However, its psychometric properties vary across countries and several controversial issues warrant further investigation. This study aimed to evaluate whether the Spanish version of the SDQ is a reliable and valid tool for assessing emotional and behavioral problems in a sample of 6,775 students aged 5 to 17 years, as rated by parents, teachers, and youth. We examined the internal consistency of the questionnaire, its factor structure, and measurement invariance across child’s gender and age. Criterion validity was tested against the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Teacher’s Report Form (TRF), and Youth Self-Report (YSR), and we measured the ability of the SDQ to identify children with specific psychiatric disorders. Finally, we provide, for the first time, Spanish normative data for children aged 5 to 10 and 11 to 17 years, according to gender and each informant. Our results revealed acceptable reliability estimates for all SDQ subscales. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the original five-factor model and full measurement invariance was found. Furthermore, SDQ scores showed a moderate to strong correlation with those on the equivalent CBCL/TRF/YSR scales, and were effective in discriminating individuals with and without clinical diagnoses.

Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Adolescent Self-Report Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire

2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Percy ◽  
Patrick McCrystal ◽  
Kathryn Higgins
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analysis ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties Questionnaire ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Emotional And Behavioral Problems ◽  
Factor Analysis Model ◽  
Component Structure ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties

Abstract. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a widely used 25-item screening test for emotional and behavioral problems in children and adolescents. This study attempted to critically examine the factor structure of the adolescent self-report version. As part of an ongoing longitudinal cohort study, a total of 3,753 pupils completed the SDQ when aged 12. Both three- and five-factor exploratory factor analysis models were estimated. A number of deviations from the hypothesized SDQ structure were observed, including a lack of unidimensionality within particular subscales, cross-loadings, and items failing to load on any factor. Model fit of the confirmatory factor analysis model was modest, providing limited support for the hypothesized five-component structure. The analyses suggested a number of weaknesses within the component structure of the self-report SDQ, particularly in relation to the reverse-coded items.

scholarly journals Parent-Adolescent Agreement on Adolescents’ Emotional and Behavioral Problems Assessed by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 2333794X2110012
Author(s):  
Kentaro Kawabe ◽  
Fumie Horiuchi ◽  
Hiroyuki Uno ◽  
Kiwamu Nakachi ◽  
Rie Hosokawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conduct Problems ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Comprehensive Evaluation ◽  
Parent Report ◽  
The Self ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties Questionnaire ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Emotional And Behavioral Problems ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties

Objective. The perception of emotion and behavior is different between adolescents and their parents. Parent-adolescent agreement on emotional and behavioral problems has not been well researched. The aim of this study was to explore and compare how well the information from themselves matches with the judgments by their parents in terms of emotional and behavioral problems. Methods. The cross-sectional study was conducted using the self-report and parent-report Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). A total of 1254 Japanese school adolescents aged 12 to 18 and their parents were assessed almost the same time. The results were analyzed using the paired t-test and 2-way analysis of variance for the discrepancies of parent-adolescent agreements in each age and gender groups. Results. Adolescents obtained higher total difficulty and all subscales scores of SDQ than their parents. The effect of grade on the self/parent discrepancy scores were significantly observed on the conduct problems ( P < .001), hyperactivity ( P = .009), and prosocial behavior ( P < .001). The effect of gender was shown significantly on the emotional problems ( P < .001), conduct problems ( P < .001), and peer problems ( P = .002). Conclusion. Adolescents reported more problems than their parents did. For comprehensive evaluation of adolescents’ mental health, it is necessary to draw information from both the adolescents themselves and their parents, and pay attention to the gap between adolescents and their parents’ perception.

Psychometric Properties of the French Version of the Self-Report and Teacher Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)

2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiane Capron ◽  
Carine Thérond ◽  
Michel Duyme
Keyword(s):  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Current Data ◽  
The Self ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties Questionnaire ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Group Methods ◽  
Epidemiological Sample ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties ◽  
Second Year

Abstract. This study was the first attempt at determining the psychometric properties of the French self-report and teacher Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) versions. An epidemiological sample of 1,400 youths (12.8 ± 0.69 years), second-year schoolchildren (boys n = 692, girls n = 708), and their teachers completed the SDQ. The analyses assessed (1) reliability using the internal consistency and test-retest methods; (2) validity by means of homogeneity measures, factor analyses, and criterion group methods; and (3) inter-rater agreement. Cut-off scores were also determined. Gender was considered for factor and cut-off analyses. Psychometric properties were satisfactory for the total difficulties scale both for the self-report and teacher SDQs (although somewhat less so for the self-report subscales). The five-factor structure theoretically expected was confirmed for both SDQs. Scores above the 90th percentile were associated with an increase in the number of at-risk youths from two groups (school failure or referred for psychological care). The current data demonstrated that the French SDQ versions could accurately measure psychopathological symptoms in youths and be considered as screening tools whose validity would appear to be promising.

scholarly journals Measurement Equivalence and Convergent Validity of a Mental Health Rating Scale

Assessment ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 1901-1913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanne C. Smid ◽  
Joop J. Hox ◽  
Einar R. Heiervang ◽  
Kjell Morten Stormark ◽  
Mari Hysing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Latent Variable ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Measurement Equivalence ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties Questionnaire ◽  
Emotional And Behavioral Problems ◽  
Missing Completely At Random ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties ◽  
Bergen Child Study

Emotional and behavioral problems among children and adolescents may be studied using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, containing five subscales, based on ratings by parents, teachers, or adolescents themselves. We investigate two measurement issues using data from a longitudinal sample of 8,806 participants aged 7 to 9 years and 11 to 13 years from the Bergen Child Study in Bergen, Norway. First, convergent validity of parent and teacher ratings is studied using a multitrait–multimethod approach. Second, longitudinal measurement equivalence is studied using confirmatory factor analysis, which requires us to deal with the considerable attrition. The multitrait–multimethod indicates not only good convergent validity but also considerable method variance for parents and teachers. The reliability and validity of some subscales are relatively low. Attrition analysis indicates that attrition is not missing completely at random, but estimation assuming missing at random makes no real difference. We conclude that assuming missing completely at random is acceptable. Comparing ratings by parents and teachers results in partial scalar equivalence. In addition, all subscales exhibit (partial) longitudinal scalar measurement equivalence. We recommend using latent variable modeling and not summated scales for longitudinal modeling using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.

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