The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in a Community Sample of Young Children in Flanders

This study investigates some psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), a brief measure for screening behavioral and emotional problems in children and adolescents. In two independent Flemish community samples of young children, parents (Sample 1: N = 532; Sample 2: N = 1086) and teachers (Sample 1: N = 512; Sample 2: N = 1049) of children aged 4-8 completed all items of the SDQ. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis provided evidence for both a three- and a five-factor solution. Internal consistency and interrater reliability of the different SDQ scales were found to be satisfactory, except for the Conduct problems and the Peer problems scales. A good construct validity with the subscales of the well-established Child Behavior Checklist was found. A 2 (gender) × 2 (age groups: 4-5 and 6-7 years) ANOVA indicated that more hyperactivity/inattention problems and more internalizing behavior was reported for the oldest age group. More behavior problems were reported for boys than for girls, whereas girls were attributed more prosocial behavior.