Can the social behavior questionnaire help meet the need for dimensional, transdiagnostic measures of childhood and adolescent psychopathology?

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The shift towards transdiagnostic and dimensional approaches to psychopathology research has created a growing need for psychometric assessments that reflect this conceptualisation. AIMS: We aimed to test whether an omnibus measure of psychopathology: the Social Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ), has suitable properties to serve as a dimensional, transdiagnostic assessment. METHOD: We used an item response theory approach to evaluate the reliable ranges of measurement of the psychopathology dimensions measured by the SBQ. RESULTS: For the dimensions of ADHD, Prosociality, Internalising and Externalising, the SBQ can provide a reliable measure for below average to very high levels in a normative sample.