Normative data and psychometric properties of the Thai version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)
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2011-01-24
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Journal of Mental Health of Thailand - วารสารสุขภาพจิต แห่งประเทศไทย
Abstract
Objective: To study normative data and psychometric properties of the Thai Strengthsand Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ; parent-, teacher-, and self-rated forms), which addresses positiveand negative aspects of childrenûs and adolescentsû behaviour and generates clinically relevant scalescores.Materials and Methods: Using multistage random cluster sampling method, data werecollected in 13 provinces from parents, teachers, and as self-reports of 9,491 children aged between5 and 16 years. Evaluation methods included scale reliability analyses (Cronbachûs alpha), correlationswith age and among scales, testing for gender effects, and comparing urban and rural regions.A factor analysis examines the specific scale structure of the Thai parent-rated SDQ. Bandingsare recommended to identify normal, borderline, and abnormal score ranges.Results: Problem scores were higher than those observed in Western countries, stressingthe necessity to establish national norms. Thai SDQ norms identify probable behaviour problemsif the total difficulties score is 19-40 in the parent-rated form, 17-40 in the teacher form, and/or 19-40 in the self-report. Internal reliabilities were satisfactory for all but one subscale. Age andgender effects on SDQ scores as well as correlations between subscales were well in line withthe English original and its many other translated versions.Conclusion: The Thai SDQ was shown to possess sufficiently favourable psychometricproperties. Thus, this instrument promises to be a useful assessment and screening tool, as inother parts of the world. Ongoing validation studies and cross-cultural comparisons will providefurther culture-specific findings.Key words : child psychopathology, normative data, screening instrument, Strengths and DifficultiesQuestionnaire (SDQ)
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Journal of Mental Health of Thailand - วารสารสุขภาพจิต แห่งประเทศไทย; Volume 19 Number 1 January 2011; 42-57