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How reliable and valid is the teacher version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in primary school children?

Author

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  • Meta van den Heuvel
  • Danielle E M C Jansen
  • Roy E Stewart
  • Bouwien C M Smits-Engelsman
  • Sijmen A Reijneveld
  • Boudien C T Flapper

Abstract

Introduction: The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is validated for parents, but not yet for teachers in a broad age range of children. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 4–10 years old school children to investigate if the SDQ-T can be used instead of the validated but lengthy Teacher’s Report Form (TRF) to acquire information about emotional and behavioral problems in the school community. Methods: Teachers of 453 children from primary schools were approached. Teachers of 394 children (response rate 86.9%) with a mean age of 7.1 years filled in the SDQ-T (n = 387), the TRF (n = 349) or both (n = 342). We assessed reliability by calculating internal consistency and concurrent validity (using correlation coefficients, sensitivity, specificity) of the SDQ-T compared with the TRF. Results: Internal consistency of the SDQ-T Total Difficulties Score (SDQ-T TDS; Cronbach α = 0.80), hyperactivity/ inattention- (α = 0.86) and prosocial behavior (α = 0.81) was very good. Concurrent validity demonstrated a strong correlation of all subscales of the SDQ-T with the corresponding scale on the TRF (range 0.54–0.73), except for peer problems (0.46). Using a SDQ-T TDS cut-off score > 14, the SDQ-T had a good sensitivity (90%) and specificity (94%). Discussion: The good reliability, validity and brevity of the SDQ-T make it an easily applicable questionnaire for obtaining information about emotional and behavioral problems from teachers in primary school children.

Suggested Citation

  • Meta van den Heuvel & Danielle E M C Jansen & Roy E Stewart & Bouwien C M Smits-Engelsman & Sijmen A Reijneveld & Boudien C T Flapper, 2017. "How reliable and valid is the teacher version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in primary school children?," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(4), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0176605
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176605
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Janni Niclasen & Thomas William Teasdale & Anne-Marie Nybo Andersen & Anne Mette Skovgaard & Hanne Elberling & Carsten Obel, 2012. "Psychometric Properties of the Danish Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire: The SDQ Assessed for More than 70,000 Raters in Four Different Cohorts," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(2), pages 1-8, February.
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