TY - JOUR
T1 - Confirmatory factor analysis of the adolescent self-report strengths and difficulties questionnaire
AU - Percy, Andrew
AU - McCrystal, Patrick
AU - Higgins, Kathryn
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a widely used 25-item screening test for emotional and behavioral problems in children and adolescents. This study attempted to critically examine the factor structure of the adolescent self-report version. As part of an ongoing longitudinal cohort study, a total of 3,753 pupils completed the SDQ when aged 12. Both three- and five-factor exploratory factor analysis models were estimated. A number of deviations from the hypothesized SDQ structure were observed, including a lack of unidimensionality within particular subscales, cross-loadings, and items failing to load on any factor. Model fit of the confirmatory factor analysis model was modest, providing limited support for the hypothesized five-component structure. The analyses suggested a number of weaknesses within the component structure of the self-report SDQ, particularly in relation to the reverse-coded items.
AB - The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a widely used 25-item screening test for emotional and behavioral problems in children and adolescents. This study attempted to critically examine the factor structure of the adolescent self-report version. As part of an ongoing longitudinal cohort study, a total of 3,753 pupils completed the SDQ when aged 12. Both three- and five-factor exploratory factor analysis models were estimated. A number of deviations from the hypothesized SDQ structure were observed, including a lack of unidimensionality within particular subscales, cross-loadings, and items failing to load on any factor. Model fit of the confirmatory factor analysis model was modest, providing limited support for the hypothesized five-component structure. The analyses suggested a number of weaknesses within the component structure of the self-report SDQ, particularly in relation to the reverse-coded items.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=39549098686&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1027/1015-5759.24.1.43
DO - 10.1027/1015-5759.24.1.43
M3 - Article
SN - 1015-5759
VL - 24
SP - 43
EP - 48
JO - European Journal of Psychological Assessment
JF - European Journal of Psychological Assessment
IS - 1
ER -