Psychometric properties of the Hungarian version of the ages and stages questionnaires: Social–emotional‐2 for 18‐month‐old children

In Hungary there is no standardized tool to screen early social‐emotional difficulties. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Hungarian version of the Ages and Stages Questionnaires: Social‐Emotional Second Edition for 18‐month‐olds (ASQ:SE‐2/18). Two studies were conducted. Study 1 involved translation, cultural adaptation, and validation in a convenient sample ( N = 423). Study 2 used a nationally representative sample ( N = 4918) to evaluate the factor structure, internal consistency, predictive validity and socioeconomic and demographic correlates. Study 1 supported the cultural adequacy of the Hungarian ASQ:SE‐2/18, and a comparison with the Child Behavior Checklist 1.5–5 provided evidence for its validity. In Study 2, the two‐factor model, consisting of Emotional Difficulty ( α = .74) and Social Difficulty ( α = .69), fit better than the single‐factor model and showed acceptable internal consistency. Being at risk for social (odds ratio = 1.7) or emotional (odds ratio = 3.6) development at 18 months predicted socio‐emotional difficulties at age 3 assessed by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Socioeconomic disadvantages were correlated with higher levels of social‐emotional risk. In conclusion, the study demonstrated the reliability of the Hungarian ASQ:SE‐2/18 and offered evidence supporting its validity. Emotional difficulties at 18 months strongly predict later maladjustment, emphasizing the need for early screening and further tool development.