Using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to screen for child psychiatric disorders in a community sample

Citation
R. Goodman et al., Using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to screen for child psychiatric disorders in a community sample, BR J PSYCHI, 177, 2000, pp. 534-539
Citations number
14
Categorie Soggetti
Psychiatry,"Clinical Psycology & Psychiatry","Neurosciences & Behavoir
Journal title
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
ISSN journal
00071250 → ACNP
Volume
177
Year of publication
2000
Pages
534 - 539
Database
ISI
SICI code
0007-1250(200012)177:<534:UTSADQ>2.0.ZU;2-V
Abstract
Background Child psychiatric disorders are common and treatable, but often go undetected and therefore remain untreated. Aims To assess the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) as a pote ntial means for improving the detection of child psychiatric disorders in t he community. Method SDQ predictions and independent psychiatric diagnoses were compared in a community sample of 7984 5- to 15-year-olds from the 1999 British Chil d Mental Health Survey. Results Multi-informant (parents, teachers, older children) SDQs identified individuals with a psychiatric diagnosis with a specificity of 94.6% (95% CI 94.1-95.1%) and a sensitivity of 63.3% (59.7-66.9%). The questionnaires identified over 70% of individuals with conduct. hyperactivity, depressive and some anxiety disorders, but under 50% of individuals with specific phob ias, separation anxiety and eating disorders. Sensitivity was substantially poorer with single-informant rather than multi-informant SDQs. Conclusions Community screening programmes based on multi-informant SDQs co uld potentially increase the detection of child psychiatric disorders, ther eby improving access to effective treatments.