The self-report version of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire in an Austrian field sample

Objective: To assess the validity and the reliability of the self-report version of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire in an Austrian sample. Methods: The questionnaire was given to 2529 healthy children and adolescents aged 11-18 years (mean age 12.71 +/- 1.4). Evaluation was performed according to given criteria, yielding a Total Problem Score, scores on four clinical subscales, and on one scale for pro-social behaviour. Descriptive statistics, Cronbach's alpha, and a varimax, rotated factorial analysis were calculated. Results: Cronbach's Alpha was > 0.63 for the Total Problem Scale, the Pro-Social Behaviour Scale and Emotional Problems Subscale. Factorial analysis revealed five independent factors explaining 41.8% of the variance. The analysis revealed good item-subscale correlations, but could not replicate the original factorial structure completely. Normative data for the SDQ-Self for Austria are provided. Conclusion: The German self-report version of the SDQ should, at the moment, only be used with extended analysis of multi-informant information.