Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ): An update of the literature and instrumental study with schoolchildren

Introduction: Considering the current controversy regarding the factorial structure of the SDQ, this paper aimed to analyse the dimensionality and reliability of the parents' version for children from 4 to 16 years of age, and to present descriptive data according to sociodemographic variables. Method: The factor structure of the original five- and three-factor models, and the reliability of the SDQ were examined among a sample of 621 parents of Uruguayan children between 7 and 12 years of age (52% girls) from different socioeconomic levels. Results: Confirmatory factor analyses did not provide support for the five- and three-factor models. Data adjusted to three factors (prosociality, externalising symptoms, internalising symptoms) in an exploratory analysis with adequate reliability indices. Conclusions: The results of this study show the relevance of continued investigation of the SDQ internal structure, and further analysis of the behaviour of several of its items.

Introducción: Considerando la controversia vigente respecto a la estructura factorial del SDQ, este trabajo tuvo como objetivo analizar la validez de constructo y fiabilidad de la versión para padres de niños de 4 a 16 años y presentar datos descriptivos según variables sociodemográficas. Método: Se examinó la estructura factorial de los modelos originales de cinco y tres factores y la fiabilidad del SDQ en una muestra de 621 padres de niños uruguayos entre 7 y 12 años (52 % niñas) de distintos niveles socioeconómicos. Resultados: Los análisis factoriales confirmatorios no pudieron dar apoyo a los modelos de cinco y tres factores. Los datos se ajustaron a tres factores (prosocialidad, síntomas externalizantes y síntomas internalizantes) en un análisis exploratorio con adecuados índices de fiabilidad. Conclusiones: Los resultados de este estudio muestran la pertinencia de continuar investigando la estructura interna del SDQ y analizar con mayor profundidad el comportamiento de algunos de sus ítems.

Screening for Behavioural Abnormality Using Strength & Difficulty Questionnaire (SDQ) in Children with Epilepsy

Aims: To estimate the problem of behavioural co morbidity and to determine risk factors associated with epi-lepsy in children. Methods: A prospective observational study using Hindi and Gujarati version of Strength & Difficulty ques-tionnaire (SDQ) was conducted. Children aged 6 to 17 years with epilepsy (CWE) as cases & without epilepsy as controls enrolled. Detailed demographic and clinical data were recorded. The total difficulty score and the subscale scores were compared between two groups. Comparison of the scores were done among the children with epilepsy group also. Results: 52 children in each group were included. Self-reported SDQ used in 76% and parent reported SDQ used in 27% participants. Prevalence of behaviour abnormality was 25% in CWE. (p 0.004). CWE had signifi-cantly higher mean total difficulty score (p<0.001) and mean emotional (p <0.0001) and conduct subscale score (p 0.0024). Children having uncontrolled epilepsy (OR 15, 95% CI 2.9 - 76.3, p 0.0005) and having num-ber of seizures more than 3 (OR 13.33 95% CI 3.4 - 51.04, p 0.0004) were found to be significantly associated with behavioural abnormality. Conclusion: Epileptic children are at more risk of behavioural problem than in normal children, especially emotional problem and conduct problem. Uncontrolled epilepsy and frequency of seizure were significant risk factor for occurrence of behavioural problem.

Prevalence Of Behavioural Disorders and Its Correlates Among Adolescents in Uttara Kannada, Karnataka –A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Childhood and adolescence are critical stages of life for mental health. This is a time when rapid growth and development takes place. Half of all mental health conditions start by 14 years of age but most cases are undetected and untreated. Behavioural patterns of adolescents are not much ex-plored in India. In this study, we aim to assess the behavioural pattern and its correlates among adoles-cents in Karwar of Uttara kannada district, Karnataka. Methodology: It is a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study conducted on adolescents studying in Government Pre-University college of Karwar in the month of June and July 2019.The Strengths and Dif-ficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to assess the mental health status of adolescents. The total diffi-culties score is used to categorize adolescents as normal (0-15) and high [borderline (16-19) and ab-normal (20-40)]. Results: Although majority of adolescents were in the normal range, a significant number of adolescents were in borderline (18.4%) and abnormal (14.1%) SDQ scores. Binary logistic regression analysis shows that use of social media, abnormal emotional grade, conduct grade, hyperactivity grade, peer grade and impact grade were found statistically significant. Conclusion: Significant numbers of adolescents were in high range of SDQ scores and suffered from emotional, conduct, prosocial behaviour and hyperactivity problems.

Behavioral and emotional problems in school children: teachers and parents perspective

Background: The present research was carried out with an objective to study the behavioral problems and emotional problems of school children as perceived by their parents and teachers.Methods: This cross sectional observational study was conducted on parents and teachers of 304 secondary school children of a metropolitan city. A pre formed semi structured questionnaire was used to assess the socio-demographic profile of the students. Parents and teachers rated Strength and difficulties questionnaire was used to assess their child’s /students behavioral and emotional problems as perceived by their parents & teachers. The analysis was done using Microsoft Excel and SPSS software.Results: Regarding the perception of teachers and parents it was found that parents were not much concerned as the response rate for parent reported SDQ was only 64.8% and response rate among teachers was 100%. Out of 304 study subjects, 22 (7.2%) were having borderline total difficulties on teachers reported total difficulty scale of SDQ and 11 (3.6%) were reported to be abnormal. Parent reported SDQ showed that out of 197 parents, who filled the SDQ, 24 (7.9%) study subjects were having borderline total difficulties, while 33 (10.9%) were found to be abnormal on SDQ scale.Conclusions: Parents, child-care givers, teachers and health care professionals if made aware of symptoms of mental health problems in their children’s, we can restore their mental health conditions in time

Prenatal tobacco exposure and ADHD symptoms at pre-school age: the Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children's Health

BACKGROUND@#There have been inconsistent findings reported on maternal passive smoking during pregnancy and child risk of ADHD. In this study, ADHD symptoms at pre-school age children in association with prenatal passive and active tobacco smoke exposure determined by maternal plasma cotinine levels in the third trimester were investigated.@*METHODS@#This was a follow-up study of the birth cohort: the Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children's Health. Children whose parents answered Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to identify child ADHD symptoms (hyperactivity/inattention and conduct problems) and total difficulties at age 5 years with available maternal plasma cotinine level at the third trimester were included (n = 3216). Cotinine levels were categorized into 4 groups; ≦ 0.21 ng/ml (non-smoker), 0.22-0.51 ng/ml (low-passive smoker), 0.52-11.48 ng/ml (high-passive smoker), and ≧ 11.49 ng/ml (active smoker).@*RESULTS@#Maternal cotinine levels of active smokers were significantly associated with an increased risk of total difficulties (OR = 1.67) and maternal low- and high-passive smoking also increased the risk (OR = 1.11, 1.25, respectively) without statistical significance. Similarly, maternal cotinine levels of active smokers were associated with an increased risk of hyperactivity/inattention (OR = 1.49). Maternal low- and high-passive smoking and active smoking increased the risk of hyperactivity/inattention (OR = 1.45, 1.43, and OR = 1.59, respectively) only in boys.@*CONCLUSION@#Our findings suggested that maternal active smoking during pregnancy may contribute to the increased risk of child total difficulties and hyperactivity/inattention at pre-school age. Pregnant women should be encouraged to quit smoking and avoid exposure to tobacco smoke.

Imapct of home environment on emotional and behavioral problems in preschool children / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To investigate the status of mental health in preschool children of Yangzhou city, and to explore the effect of home environment. Methods A total of 2 531 children from 7 kindergartens were selected by random cluster sampling. Questionnaire (including SDQ tests) was used to analyse the status and characteristics of mental health. Results The rate of children with mental disorder was 6.4%, the most prominent problem was peer relationship difficulty (17.8%), followed by hyperactivity/inattention (13.7%), prosocial behavior (9.4%), conduct problems (7.0%) and emotional problems (5.7%). Except for emotional symptoms, the detection rates of all other investigated problems among boys were higher than those among girls. Logistic regression analysis showed that the low level of mother's education (OR=1.85, 95%CI:1.04-3.29) and the joint family (OR=1.81, 95%CI:1.19-2.75) were risk factors, and gender of girl was protective factor (OR=0.71，95%CI：0.51-0.98). Conclusions The rate of mental disorder is low, but hyperactivity in boys and emotional problems in girls are quite popular, especially in children who have mother with low level of education or live in the joint family.

Association between sibling violence experience and emotional and behavioral problemsamong children and adolescents aged 9-18 years in rural areas / 中国心理卫生杂志

Objective:To explore the association between sibling violence experience and emotional and behavioral problems.Methods:A Multistage stratified cluster sampling was used in Hunan province, 1735 participants from multiple-child family were recruited to survey the prevalence of sibling violence and the occurrence of emotional and behavioral problems with the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQ).Results:According to SDQ total score, the rate of abnormal emotion and behavior in children and adolescents involved in sibling violence was higher than that in students who were not experienced sibling violence [45.6％ (236/518) vs.26.8％ (326/1217) ], the rate in bully-victim was higher than that in pure-victim and pure-bully [52.8％ (132/250) vs.37.9％ (74/195) vs.41.1％ (30/73) ].The rates in children and adolescents who were bullied and perpetrated more than 4 sub-types of sibling violence were 63.4％ (53/93) and 76.9％ (60/78).Conclusion:There is an association between sibling violence experience and emotional and behavioral problems among children and adolescents in rural areas.

The number of war-related traumatic events is associated with increased behavioural but not emotional problems among Syrian refugee children years after resettlement

Abstract Background: Turkey is the leading refugee-hosting country in the world. However, there are few studies which investigate mental wellbeing of refugee children in Turkey. Objective: The paper aims to examine the prevalence of emotional and behavioural problems and associated risk factors among Syrian refugee minors in Turkey. Methods: The research involved 85 students from 2 th to 8 th grades. We investigated emotional and behavioural problems with parent-reported Arabic form of Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Socio-demographical findings and children's war-related experiences were also examined. Results: The study sample consisted of 49 (63.6%) girls, and 28 (36.4%) boys (total 77) from age 7 to 17. Average time after resettlement was 29.8 ± 11.2 (5 to 50 months) months. 66 (85.7%) children reported to had lost at least one familiar person due to the war. The mean experienced war-related traumatic events were calculated as 2.92 ± 1.86. Total difficulty scores of 30 (39.0%) children were above the cut off values. The rates of children whose SDQ problem scores exceeded the cut-off values were as high as 45.5% (35) for Emotional problems, 64.9% (50) for Peer, 27.3% (21) for conduct and 19.5% (15) for Hyperactivity problems. Discussion: Results indicate high prevalence rates of severe traumatic experiences and possible psychiatric disorders among child survivors of Syrian war which in its seventh year now.

Complementarity between SDQ-SR and MMPI-A in Assessing Adolescents with Internalizing Disorder : A Preliminary Study / 정신신체의학

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to investigate the psychopathology in adolescents with internalizing disorder using the self-report version of Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ-SR) and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory for adolescents (MMPI-A), and to explore the complementarity between these two inventories for diagnostic assessment. METHODS: Ninety-one patients aged 13–17 were divided into two groups by clinical diagnosis, 44 with internalizing disorder and 47 comparison group with other disorders. The data of SDQ-SR and MMPI-A completed by them were analyzed for the ability to predict internalizing disorder. RESULTS: The logistic regression analysis revealed that diagnostic predictability increased by 2.27 times with every 1 point of SDQ-SR emotional symptom score increment. Comparison of ROC curves for internalizing disorders showed that the SE and SP of SDQ-SR emotional symptom with score over 4 was 88.94 and 78.72, respectively. For A-anx of MMPI-A with score over 56, SE and SP was 77.27 and 74.47, respectively. However, combination of these scales could not enhance the predictability of diagnostic classification more than that of SDQ-SR emotional symptom alone. CONCLUSIONS: Emotional symptom scale of SDQ-SR and A-anx, A-aln, A and INTR of MMPI-A should be important subscales for diagnosing the internalizing disorder of adolescents, however, which needs to be examined further with a larger sample size including normal control group.

Prenatal exposure to bisphenol A and phthalates and behavioral problems in children at preschool age: the Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children's Health

BACKGROUND@#Studies reported adverse behavioral development including internalizing and externalizing problems in association with prenatal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates; however, findings were not sufficient due to using different assessment tools and child ages among studies. This study aimed to examine associations between maternal serum levels of BPA and phthalate metabolites and behavioral problems at preschool age.@*METHODS@#The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to assess behavioral problems at 5 years of age. BPA and phthalate metabolite levels in the first trimester maternal serum was determined by LC-MS/MS for 458 children. Variables used for adjustment were parental ages, maternal cotinine levels, family income during pregnancy, child sex, birth order, and age at SDQ completed.@*RESULTS@#The median concentrations of BPA, MnBP, MiBP, MEHP, and MECPP, primary and secondary metabolites of phthalates, were 0.062, 26.0, 7.0, 1.40, and 0.20 ng/ml, respectively. MECPP level was associated with increase conduct problem risk (OR = 2.78, 95% CI 1.36-5.68) overall and the association remained after child sex stratification, and odds ratios were increased with wider confidence interval (OR = 2.85, 95% CI 1.07-7.57 for boys, OR = 4.04, 95% CI 1.31-12.5 for girls, respectively). BPA, ∑DBP (MnBP + MiBP), and ∑DEHP (MEHP+MECPP) levels were not associated with any of the child behavioral problems.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Our analyses found no significant association between BPA or summation of phthalate metabolite levels and any of the behavioral problems at 5 years of age but suggested possible association between MECPP levels and increased risk of conduct problems.

Eclectic approach to anxiety disorders among rural children / Abordagem eclética a transtornos de ansiedade em crianças de zona rural

Abstract Introduction Anxiety disorders in primary school-aged children negatively affect their mental health and psychological development. Available non-medical treatments for these conditions are time-consuming and expensive. In this context, eclectic therapy is a therapeutic approach that incorporates some therapeutic techniques and philosophies to create the ideal treatment. In this study, eclectic therapy consisted of art therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy designed for children suffering from high level of anxiety in their middle childhood years. The therapy also included group guidance sessions for their mothers. The effectiveness of this intervention was examined in the study. Methods 61 students aged 9-12 years with high levels of anxiety participated in the study. Intervention A (n = 20) consisted of 9-hour eclectic therapy for children with 3-hour group guidance sessions for their mothers. Intervention B (n = 20) consisted of 9-hour eclectic therapy for children. There was also a control group (n = 21). Results Teacher ratings of children's mental health difficulties and self-report ratings of anxiety disorders indicated a significant difference from pretest to posttest, revealing a large effect size between the two interventions. Higher levels of pretest scores significantly predicted higher posttest scores for all domains of anxiety and mental health difficulties. Furthermore, age, gender, mothers working a 15-hour day, mother's educational level, parental divorce rates, parental death, and family monthly income predicted therapy outcomes. Conclusion Results provide support for the effectiveness of eclectic art and CBT to improve children's mental health and reduce anxiety through changing thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and behaviors that may cause fear and anxiety.

Resumo Introdução Transtornos de ansiedade em escolares afetam sua saúde mental e seu desenvolvimento psicológico. Tratamentos alternativos disponíveis consomem tempo e são dispendiosos. Nesse contexto, a terapia eclética é uma abordagem terapêutica que incorpora algumas técnicas e filosofias terapêuticas para criar o tratamento ideal. Neste estudo, terapia eclética consistiu de terapia artística e terapia cognitivo-comportamental (TCC) planejada para escolares com altos níveis de ansiedade. A terapia também incluiu sessões de orientação em grupo para as mães. A eficácia da intervenção foi examinada. Métodos 61 escolares com idade de 9-12 anos e altos níveis de ansiedade participaram do estudo. A intervenção A (n = 20) consistiu de 9 horas de terapia eclética para crianças com sessões de 3 horas de orientação em grupo para as mães. A intervenção B (n = 20) consistiu de 9 horas de terapia eclética para crianças. Houve também um grupo controle (n = 21). Resultados Escores atribuídos pelos professores às dificuldades de saúde mental das crianças e escores de ansiedade autoaplicados indicaram diferenças significativas entre resultados pré-teste e pós-teste, revelando grande tamanho de efeito entre as duas intervenções. Escores pré-teste maiores foram preditores significativos de escores pós-teste mais altos para todos os domínios de ansiedade e dificuldades de saúde mental. Idade, gênero, mães trabalhando 15 horas/dia, nível educacional da mãe, índice de divórcio, morte de um dos pais e renda familiar mensal foram preditores de desfechos da terapia. Conclusão Os resultados sugerem a eficácia de arte eclética e TCC para melhorar a saúde mental de crianças e reduzir a ansiedade através de mudança em pensamentos, crenças, emoções e comportamentos que possam causar medo e ansiedade.

To screen for child emotional and behavioral problems in a community sample / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

BackgroundIn accordance with WHO investigation, most of the mental disorders onset in childhood and 20 percentof children (1 of fi ve) with mental and behavioral disorder currently. In 2005, by assessment of mentalhealth system in Mongolia (WHO-AIMS) it was concluded that special attention needs to be given todevelop professional competence and services in the area of child and adolescents mental health so itis a reason of the this study.AimTo early identify common emotional and behavioral problems among children and identify risk factorsfor itMethodsThe study was randomly selected 3500 child aged between from 4 to 17 years in 5 districts of Ulaanbaatarcity and 46 soums of 11 aimags of Mongolia.A main tool is Strengths and Diffi culties Questionnaire (SDQ) and included the 25-item child andparent versions were used to record each informant’s perception of four problem domains/subscales.SDQ was differently used child ages such as child aged 6-10 years used by parent version child agedbetween11-17 years used by both child and parent versions.ResultsOf 2920 child who participated in the study, 382 (13%) studied in kindergarten, 2423 (82.9%) school. Anaverage age of participants was 10.9±4.ConclusionThe abnormal emotional reaction was dominantly occurred in urban girls aged between from 6 to 10years and the abnormal behavioral reaction was dominantly occurred in urban boys aged between from6 to 15 years. The family relationship was a risk factor for developing emotional and behavioral problemsin child.

Violência doméstica e risco para problemas de saúde mental em crianças e adolescentes / Domestic violence and risk for mental health in childhood and adolescence

A literatura demonstra que sofrer violência doméstica na infância e juventude é um risco para o desenvolvimento das psicopatologias. Este estudo utilizou o Strenghts and Difficulties Questionnarie (SDQ) e encontrou prevalência de 65,5% de possibilidades de problemas de saúde mental em crianças e adolescentes (4-16 anos), vítimas de violência doméstica, acompanhados em Serviços de Referência, todos residentes em um município brasileiro. O resultado encontrado foi considerado elevado, se comparado à população geral. A violência doméstica foi observada como fator de risco para problemas de saúde mental nas crianças e adolescentes estudados, agravada pelo uso preocupante de bebida alcoólica pelo responsável, ou este estar fora do processo produtivo. Não foram encontrados fatores de proteção efetivos, principalmente em relação à rede de proteção. Esses resultados sinalizam a necessidade de implementação de mecanismos que avaliem a efetividade de programas específicos nas áreas de saúde mental e violência doméstica.

Literature shows that experiencing domestic violence in childhood and young adulthood is a risk for the development of psychopathology. This study used the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and found a prevalence of 65.5% of possibility of mental health problems in children and adolescents (4-16 years old) who were victims of domestic violence followed in Referral Services in a Brazilian city. The result found was considered high when compared to the general population. Domestic violence was observed as a risk factor for mental health problems among the studied children and adolescents, aggravated by caregivers' alcoholism or unemployment. No effective protective factors were found, mainly regarding the protection network. These results indicate the need for reassessing the effectiveness of specific programs in the areas of mental health and domestic violence.

Psychological adjustment in children with episodic migraine: a population-based study

We investigated psychological adjustment in a preadolescent pediatric population as a function of headache diagnosis. Children from a city public education system were enrolled in this study.

USING THE STRENGTHS AND DIFFICULTIES QUESTIONNAIRE (SDQ) TO SCREEN FOR CHILDREN BETWEEN 11-17 YEARS OLD IN A COMMUNITY SAMPLE / Шинэ санаа Шинэ нээлт

Child psychiatric disorders are common and treatable, but often go undetected and therefore remain untreated.To assess the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) as a potential means for improving the detection of child psychiatric disorders in the community.SDQ predictions and independent psychiatric diagnoses were compared in a community sample of 1959 11- to 17-year-olds from the 2013 Mongolian National Center for Mental HealthMulti-informant (parents, teachers, older children) SDQs identified individuals with a psychiatric diagnosis with a specificity of 66.8% (95% Cl 61.4-73.0%) and a sensitivity of 64.4% (59.9-71.3%). The questionnaires identified over 65% of individuals with conduct, hyperactivity, depressive and some anxiety disorders. Sensitivity was substantially poorer with single-informant rather than multi-informant SDQs.Community screening programmers based on multi-informant SDQs could potentially increase the detection of child psychiatric disorders, thereby improving access to effective treatments

Agreement between Parent and Teacher Reports in Clinical Setting : Comparing SDQ-Kr with K-CBCL

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to examine agreement between parent and teacher ratings of the Korean version Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ-Kr) for the children's psychopathology and to determine whether it is effective in diagnostics as the Korean version of Childhood Behavior Checklist (K-CBCL). METHODS: SDQ-Kr and K-CBCL were completed by parents and teachers of 165 children aged 6-12 years. The clinical diagnosis was made by a child and adolescent psychiatrist who did not have knowledge of the outcome. Spearman's correlations were computed for associations between parents' and teachers' ratings on a subscale level. The Mann-Whitney U test was performed for the influence of child's age and sex on the results. Finally, AUC values were calculated for the diagnostic capacity and the difference between informants was tested using the z test. RESULTS: High correlations were observed between parents' and teachers' SDQ-Kr on every scale. Parents were more sensitive to emotional symptoms of girls, while teachers appeared to be more responsive to externalized symptoms of boys, inattention-hyperactivity of young children, and emotional symptoms of seniors. Parents' SDQ-Kr demonstrated the highest prediction of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. CONCLUSION: Teachers' SDQ-Kr can be used in identification of child psychopathology when parents are absent or when their reliability is considered low.

Prevalência e características de escolares vítimas de bullying / Prevalence and characteristics of school age bullying victims

OBJETIVO: Descrever a prevalência de vítimas de bullying, suas características e os sintomas associados nas áreas emocionais, de conduta, hiperatividade e relacionamento. MÉTODO: Trata-se de um estudo transversal aninhado a uma coorte que avalia transtornos de leitura, escrita e aritmética em 1.075 alunos, da 1ª à 8ª série, de duas escolas públicas de ensino fundamental de um bairro de classe média baixa de Pelotas (RS). Foi utilizado o questionário KIDSCAPE para avaliar a prevalência de bullying e o Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire para avaliar características comportamentais das vítimas. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de bullying foi de 17,6 por cento. O tipo de intimidação mais prevalente foi o verbal, seguido do físico, emocional, racial e sexual. Após o ajuste para os fatores de confusão, o bullying se manteve associado com sexo masculino (RP 1,49 IC95 por cento 1,14-1,96), com hiperatividade (RP 1,89 IC95 por cento 1,25-2,87) e problemas de relacionamento com os colegas (RP 1,85 IC95 por cento 1,24-2,76). Entre as vítimas, 47,1 por cento também provocavam bullying. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo identificou as características comportamentais das vítimas de bullying que podem ser úteis para políticas locais de proteção aos alvos de bullying.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of bullying victims, the characteristics of those victims and their associated symptoms in the domains of emotion, behavior, hyperactivity and peer relationships. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional study nested in a cohort that assesses disorders of reading, writing and arithmetic in 1,075 students enrolled in the first to eighth grades of two public schools in a lower-middle-class neighborhood of the city of Pelotas, RS, Brazil. The KIDSCAPE questionnaire was used to evaluate the prevalence of bullying and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was used to assess victims’ behavioral characteristics. RESULTS: The prevalence of bullying was 17.6 percent. The most prevalent type of intimidation was verbal, followed by physical, emotional, racial and sexual. After adjustment for confounding factors, bullying was still associated with male sex (PR 1.49 95 percentCI 1.14-1.96), hyperactivity (PR 1.89 95 percentCI 1.25-2.87) and peer relationship problems (PR 1.85 95 percentCI 1.24-2.76). Among the victims of bullying, 47.1 percent had also initiated bullying. CONCLUSION: This study has identified the behavioral characteristics of bullying victims which may prove useful for local policies designed to protect the targets of bullying.

Usefulness of Family-Report Screening Tests for Dementia

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness of domestic family-report screening tests for dementia in an effort to lay the foundation for a standardization of self-report dementia screening tests. METHODS: The subjects in this study were 56 psychiatrists and neurologists etc. who were members of the Korean Geriatrics Society and Korean Association for Geriatric psychiatry and in charge of demented elderly people. RESULTS: Out of 56 respondents, 31 rated SDQ or a short form of SDQ as useful. 10 doctors replied that there was no need to put dementia screening tests for caregivers to use, and the reason was that those tests for caregivers lagged behind screening tests for patients in usefulness, or that no separate assessment through caregivers would be necessary if it's possible to evaluate patients themselves. CONCLUSION: There is little accurate information on the usefulness or results of family-report screening tests for dementia, and sustained research efforts should be dedicated to this field.

A Short form of the Samsung Dementia Questionnaire ( S-SDQ ): development and cross-validation

BACKGROUND: The Samsung Dementia Questionnaire (SDQ) has recently been developed for screening dementia. Objectives of this study are to develop a short form of SDQ (S-SDQ) and to cross-validate S-SDQ in a new sample. METHODS: Factorial analysis of SDQ items was used to develop the S-SDQ. The S-SDQ was administered to informants of 100 dementia patients (61 Alzheimer's disease, 39 vascular dementia) and to those of 100 hospital control subjects. Two groups were matched in terms of age and sex. The retest of S-SDQ was conducted in 75 informants to determine the reliability of tests and retests which were spanned average 23.9 days. RESULTS: The S-SDQ was not influenced by education, age or sex. S-SDQ scores negatively correlated with the K-MMSE (r=-0.84). The S-SDQ showed stepwise scaling with dementia severity. The area under the ROC curve for the S-SDQ was 0.974 (S.E.=0.084). With respect to a diagnosis of dementia, the SDQ (cut-off point 8) had a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 90%. The S-SDQ was found to have a high test-retest reliability (r=0.97). CONCLUSIONS: An abbreviated version of SDQ (S-SDQ) had high sensitivity, specificity and test-retest reliability which were comparable to those of original SDQ. Thus, the S-SDQ can be a useful, brief dementia screening questionnaire.