Psychometric Properties and Norms for the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire Administered Online in an Australian Sample

Abstract

Objective

The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was developed for clinicians and researchers as a brief screening instrument for behavioural and emotional problems in children. Administered in its traditional pen‐and‐paper format, the SDQ has demonstrated sound psychometric properties. The SDQ is increasingly being administered online, despite there being little evaluation of the psychometric properties and norms of the instrument in this new administrative context, and none in an Australian (or English‐speaking) sample. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to explore the psychometric properties and present normative data for the online administration of the parent‐report version of the SDQ in an Australian sample.

Methods

Participants were parents (n = 1,070) of Australian primary school‐aged children (5 to 12 years) who completed the SDQ online via a web‐based software program.

Results

Results demonstrate sound psychometric properties for the SDQ in its online administrative format that are comparable to previous Australian studies utilising the traditional pen‐and‐paper format of the SDQ. Moreover, we provide normative data on the SDQ subscales, as well as the impact supplement when administered online.

Conclusions

Together, the results support the use of the SDQ online, and provide emerging evidence that the psychometric properties and the norms for the parent‐report SDQ in an English‐speaking sample are similar regardless of online versus pen‐and‐paper administration.

Key words:

• children
• measurement
• normative data
• parent report
• Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire

Acknowledgement

The authors are affiliated with the School of Psychology at the University of Western Australia and the School of Psychology, Social Work and Social Policy at the University of South Australia. They have published numerous research articles in the areas of children's social interactions, mental health, and wellbeing.