Screening mental health problems during adolescence: Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire

Abstract The main purpose of the present study was to test the psychometric properties of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), self-reported version, in Spanish adolescents, introducing a five-point Likert response scale. The sample consisted of 1474 adolescents with a mean age of 15.9...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of adolescence (London, England.) England.), 2015-01, Vol.38 (1), p.49-56
Main Authors: Ortuño-Sierra, Javier, Fonseca-Pedrero, Eduardo, Paino, Mercedes, Sastre i Riba, Sylvia, Muñiz, José
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescents
Behavioural problems
Child & adolescent psychiatry
Discriminant analysis
Factorial structure
Female
Humans
Likert scale
Male
Measurement invariance
Medical screening
Mental disorders
Mental Disorders - diagnosis
Pediatrics
Psychology, Adolescent
Psychometrics
Quantitative psychology
Questionnaires
SDQ
Self Report
Spain
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:Abstract The main purpose of the present study was to test the psychometric properties of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), self-reported version, in Spanish adolescents, introducing a five-point Likert response scale. The sample consisted of 1474 adolescents with a mean age of 15.92 years ( SD  = 1.18). The level of internal consistency of the SDQ Total score was .75, ranging from .56 to .71 for the subscales. Results from exploratory factor analysis revealed a three-factor structure as the most satisfactory. Confirmatory factor analyses showed that the five-factor model (with modifications) displayed better goodness of-fit indices than the other hypothetical dimensional models tested. Furthermore, strong measurement invariance by age and partial measurement invariance by gender was supported. The study of the psychometric properties confirms that the Spanish version of the SDQ, self-reported form, is a useful tool for the screening of emotional and behavioural problems in adolescents.
ISSN:0140-1971
1095-9254
DOI:10.1016/j.adolescence.2014.11.001