Validation of the Arabic Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Development and Well-Being Assessment.
Author: Alyahri A, Goodman R
Source:
EMHJ-Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 12 (Supp. 2), S138-S146, 2006.
We examined the validity of the Arabic versions of 2 main measures of child
psychopathology: the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the
Development and Well-Being Assessment (DAWBA). They were administered to the
parents and teachers of 2 samples of 5-12-year-old Yemeni children, one from
psychiatric clinics (n=87) and the other from the community (n=100). The SDQ
scores distinguished well between the 2 samples and also between children with
different psychiatric diagnoses. The DAWBA showed substantial agreement with
independent clinic diagnosis. The brevity of the SDQ and the respondent-based
nature of the DAWBA interview make these tools feasible for use in countries
where there is a severe shortage of skilled manpower