OBJECTIVE: The main objective of the study was to determine the validity of the Arabic version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) Self-Report version in Yemen. METHODS: Following translation and back translation of the scale into the Arabic language by a panel of experts, psychometric properties were assessed using 600 students from schools (low risk group) and 57 patients attending the Mental Health Hospital in Sana'a, Republic of Yemen (high risk group) from January through to April 2002. The age range of the 2 groups was from 12-17-years-old. Discriminative validity, concurrent validity and factorial validity were studied. RESULTS: The difference between the means of the "total difficulties"scores in both groups was highly significant (p<0.001); the area under the curve (AUC) of the total scores and subscales scores were ranged from 0.77-0.89. The chance corrected agreements between the clinical diagnosis and SRQ subscales' prediction were significant. The sensitivity and specificity were 72% and 55%. Factor analysis yielded 5 dimensions of emotional symptoms, conduct disorders, hyperactivity, peer problems, and pro-social items. CONCLUSION: Results of this validation study suggest that the Arabic version of the SRQ of SDQ is valid in Yemen; and it can be a useful tool for investigating childhood behavioral and emotional disorders at clinical settings.