Self-report measures for use with children: a review and comment.

This article underscores the need for self-report instruments for children to complement the teacher and parent questionnaires traditionally used to assess various aspects of children's psychological lives. Some of the problems inherent in using teachers, parents, and children as informants are delineated. Many self-report instruments, in particular those that are used to assess children's self-concept, anxiety, depression, and personality, are reviewed. The Children's Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ) was designed to assist in the diagnosis and detection of psychological deviance in 7- to 12-year-old children. The SRQ is easily administered, has broadly based norms, and has acceptable reliability and validity. The SRQ can be used as an aid to both research and clinical assessment and may provide insight into the inner world of the child.