Berit M Gustafsson1,2,3, Per A Gustafsson1,4, Marie Proczkowska-Björklund1,5. 1. a Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden ; 2. b Child Psychiatric Clinic, Högland Hospital , Division of Psychiatrics & Rehabilitation/Region Jönköping , Sweden ; 3. e CHILD research environment , Jönköping University , Sweden. 4. c Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry , Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden ; 5. d Psychiatric Clinic, Hospital of Jönköping , Division of Psychiatrics & Rehabilitation/Jönköping Country , Sweden ;
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In Sweden, 80-90% of children aged 1-5 years attend preschool, and that environment is well suited to identify behaviours that may be signs of mental health problems. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a well-known short and structured instrument measuring child behaviours that indicate mental health problems well suited for preschool use. AIM: To investigate whether SDQ is a reliable and valid instrument for identifying behavioural problems in children aged 1-3 years and 4-5 years in a Swedish population, as rated by preschool teachers. METHODS: Preschools situated in different sized municipalities in Sweden participated. The preschool teacher rated each individual child. Concurrent validity was tested using the Child-Teacher Report Form (C-TRF) and Child Engagement Questionnaire (CEQ). Exploratory factor analysis was conducted for age groups, 1-3 years and 4-5 years. RESULTS: The preschool teachers considered most of the SDQ items relevant and possible to rate. For the children aged 1-3 years, the subscales 'Hyperactivity' (Cronbach alpha = 0.84, split half = 0.73) and 'Conduct' (Cronbach alpha = 0.76, split half = 0.80) were considered to be valid. For the age group 4-5 years, the whole original SDQ scale, 4-factor solution was used and showed reasonable validity (Cronbach alpha = 0.83, split half = 0.87). CONCLUSION: SDQ can be used in a preschool setting by preschool teachers as a valid instrument for identifying externalizing behavioural problems (hyperactivity and conduct problems) in young children. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: SDQ could be used to identify preschool children at high-risk for mental health problems later in life.
BACKGROUND: In Sweden, 80-90% of children aged 1-5 years attend preschool, and that environment is well suited to identify behaviours that may be signs of mental health problems. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a well-known short and structured instrument measuring child behaviours that indicate mental health problems well suited for preschool use. AIM: To investigate whether SDQ is a reliable and valid instrument for identifying behavioural problems in children aged 1-3 years and 4-5 years in a Swedish population, as rated by preschool teachers. METHODS: Preschools situated in different sized municipalities in Sweden participated. The preschool teacher rated each individual child. Concurrent validity was tested using the Child-Teacher Report Form (C-TRF) and Child Engagement Questionnaire (CEQ). Exploratory factor analysis was conducted for age groups, 1-3 years and 4-5 years. RESULTS: The preschool teachers considered most of the SDQ items relevant and possible to rate. For the children aged 1-3 years, the subscales 'Hyperactivity' (Cronbach alpha = 0.84, split half = 0.73) and 'Conduct' (Cronbach alpha = 0.76, split half = 0.80) were considered to be valid. For the age group 4-5 years, the whole original SDQ scale, 4-factor solution was used and showed reasonable validity (Cronbach alpha = 0.83, split half = 0.87). CONCLUSION:SDQ can be used in a preschool setting by preschool teachers as a valid instrument for identifying externalizing behavioural problems (hyperactivity and conduct problems) in young children. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: SDQ could be used to identify preschool children at high-risk for mental health problems later in life.
Authors: C Chen; V H Ahlqvist; P Henriksson; J H Migueles; F Christiansen; M R Galanti; D Berglind Journal: Trials Date: 2022-07-19 Impact factor: 2.728
Authors: Masoud Vaezghasemi; Eva Eurenius; Anneli Ivarsson; Linda Richter Sundberg; Sven Arne Silfverdal; Marie Lindkvist Journal: Front Pediatr Date: 2022-02-09 Impact factor: 3.418