Repository logo
 

Assessing behavior in children aged 12-24 months using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

No Thumbnail Available

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Smith, Ria 
O'Farrelly, Christine 
Iles, Jane 
Rosan, Camilla 

Abstract

Behavioral and emotional problems in infants and toddlers are common, often persist and put children at risk of later mental health problems. Reliable, efficient, and sensitive tools are needed to identify young children who may benefit from further assessment and support. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), offers a brief, convenient means of screening for early problems, however, it lacks psychometric validation in infants. The aim of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the SDQ in children aged 12-24 months. Ninety-three participants, with children aged 12-24 months, completed the SDQ and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) online. Concurrent validity of the SDQ was assessed through comparison with the CBCL. The results demonstrated that key subscales of the SDQ and CBCL were significantly correlated (r range= -.19 to -.57). Key SDQ subscales showed moderate reliability (Cronbach's alpha range = .38-.79, mean inter-item correlation range = .06-.43). The SDQ shows promising reliability and validity as a measure for rating the behavior of 12-24-months-old children, particularly for externalizing symptoms. Further research is needed to assess its predictive utility.

Description

Keywords

Behavior Rating Scale, Child, Child Behavior Disorders, Child, Preschool, Humans, Infant, Psychometrics, Reproducibility of Results, Surveys and Questionnaires

Journal Title

Infancy

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1525-0008
1532-7078

Volume Title

26

Publisher

Wiley

Rights

All rights reserved