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Annals of General Psychiatry
Published in: Annals of General Psychiatry 1/2009

Open Access 01-12-2009 | Primary research

The factor structure of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in Greek adolescents

Authors: George Giannakopoulos, Chara Tzavara, Christine Dimitrakaki, Gerasimos Kolaitis, Vasiliki Rotsika, Yannis Tountas

Published in: Annals of General Psychiatry | Issue 1/2009

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Abstract

Background

The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a practical, economic and user-friendly screening instrument of emotional and behavioural problems in children and adolescents. This study was aimed primarily at evaluating the factor structure of the Greek version of the SDQ.

Methods

A representative nationwide sample of 1,194 adolescents (11 to 17 years old) completed the questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to assess the factor structure of the SDQ.

Results

CFA supported the original five-factor structure. The modification of the model provided some improvements. Internal consistency was acceptable for total difficulties, emotional symptoms and prosocial behaviour scale, moderate for hyperactivity/inattention scale and inadequate for peer and conduct problems scale. Older adolescents (aged 15 to 17 years) reported more hyperactivity/inattention and conduct problems than younger ones (aged 11 to 14 years) and girls reported more emotional symptoms and less prosocial behaviour problems than boys. Adolescents of low socioeconomic status (SES) reported more difficulties than those of medium and high SES.

Conclusion

The Greek SDQ could be potentially considered as a community-wide screening instrument for adolescents' emotional and behavioural problems.
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Metadata
Title
The factor structure of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in Greek adolescents
Authors
George Giannakopoulos
Chara Tzavara
Christine Dimitrakaki
Gerasimos Kolaitis
Vasiliki Rotsika
Yannis Tountas
Publication date
01-12-2009
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Annals of General Psychiatry / Issue 1/2009
Electronic ISSN: 1744-859X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1744-859X-8-20

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