Cited by 1,031Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional DevelopmentPsychometric Methodologies and TestingAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Psychometric properties of the parent and teacher versions of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for 4- to 12-year-olds: A review

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Stone, Lisanne L., Otten, Roy, Engels, Rutger C. M. E., Vermulst, Ad A., Janssens, Jan M. A. M.·2010·Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review

Abstract

Since its development, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) has been widely used in both research and practice. The SDQ screens for positive and negative psychological attributes. This review aims to provide an overview of the psychometric properties of the SDQ for 4- to 12-year-olds. Results from 48 studies (N = 131,223) on reliability and validity of the parent and teacher SDQ are summarized quantitatively and descriptively. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and inter-rater agreement are satisfactory for the parent and teacher versions. At subscale level, the reliability of the teacher version seemed stronger compared to that of the parent version. Concerning validity, 15 out of 18 studies confirmed the five-factor structure. Correlations with other measures of psychopathology as well as the screening ability of the SDQ are sufficient. This review shows that the psychometric properties of the SDQ are strong, particularly for the teacher version. For practice, this implies that the use of the SDQ as a screening instrument should be continued. Longitudinal research studies should investigate predictive validity. For both practice and research, we emphasize the use of a multi-informant approach.

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  1. Du Y Su L Li X Usage of Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology 1995 1 44 45
  2. Holland D Dadds M The diagnostic schedule for children, adolescents and parents 1995 Brisbane Griffith University Press
  3. Streiner DL Norman GR Health measurements scales 1989 Oxford, England Oxford University Press
  4. World Health Organization International classification of diseases 10th edition: Classification of mental and behavioural disorders 1992 Geneva WHO

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Authors
Stone, L. L., Otten, R., Engels, R. C. M. E., Vermulst, A. A., & Janssens, J. M. A. M.
Affiliations
Radboud University Nijmegen (NL)
Corresponding author
Stone, Lisanne L.
Venue
Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review
Published
2010-06-30
Volume
13
Issue
3
Pages
254-274
ISSN
  • 1096-4037 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-2827
OpenAlex
W2098063426
Cited by
1,031
References
129
Citations by year
2026: 52 · 2025: 67 · 2024: 72 · 2023: 63 · 2022: 74 · 2021: 100 · 2020: 99 · 2019: 76 · 2018: 72 · 2017: 75 · 2016: 74 · 2015: 60 · 2014: 70 · 2013: 46 · 2012: 22
FWCI
3.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by-nc
Locations
  • Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Radboud Repository (Radboud University) (submittedVersion)
Funders
ZonMw
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, psychometric properties, reliability statistics, validity, parent report, teacher reports, child mental health screening, five-factor structure, multi-informant assessment, children aged 4 to 12
MeSH terms
Mental Disorders, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Male, Mass Screening, Personality Assessment, Psychometrics, Surveys and Questionnaires, Observer Variation

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