TY - JOUR
AU - A. M. Borg
AU - R. Salmelin
AU - P. Kaukonen
AU - M. Joukamaa
AU - T. Tamminen
A1 - 
AB - Background The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Method Following the administration of the SDQ in medical check-ups of 4-9 year-old children (n = 2 682) the involved parents, teachers and public health nurses were asked to complete a feedback questionnaire of the SDQ. Results Parents took a maximum of 10-15 minutes to complete the SDQ, and only the public health nurses reported that its use was rather burdensome. The SDQ was an age-appropriate method and it was helpful in increasing information and agreement about the child's mental health and need for support. Using the SDQ was a positive experience for parents, but they expected more dialogue with the professionals about the child's situation. The respondents criticised the questionnaire somewhat for being difficult to interpret and complete. Conclusions The SDQ was found to be a feasible method for screening children's mental health in primary health care together with parents, teachers and public health nurses. Using the SDQ was a positive experience for parents. However, they reminded the professionals of the importance of sensitive dialogue when assessing the mental health of the child.
BT - Journal of child and adolescent mental health
C5 - Healthcare Disparities
CP - 3
CY - South Africa
DO - 10.2989/17280583.2014.923432
IS - 3
JF - Journal of child and adolescent mental health
N2 - Background The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Method Following the administration of the SDQ in medical check-ups of 4-9 year-old children (n = 2 682) the involved parents, teachers and public health nurses were asked to complete a feedback questionnaire of the SDQ. Results Parents took a maximum of 10-15 minutes to complete the SDQ, and only the public health nurses reported that its use was rather burdensome. The SDQ was an age-appropriate method and it was helpful in increasing information and agreement about the child's mental health and need for support. Using the SDQ was a positive experience for parents, but they expected more dialogue with the professionals about the child's situation. The respondents criticised the questionnaire somewhat for being difficult to interpret and complete. Conclusions The SDQ was found to be a feasible method for screening children's mental health in primary health care together with parents, teachers and public health nurses. Using the SDQ was a positive experience for parents. However, they reminded the professionals of the importance of sensitive dialogue when assessing the mental health of the child.
PP - South Africa
PY - 2014
SN - 1728-0591; 1728-0583
SP - 229
EP - 238
EP - 
T1 - Feasibility of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in assessing children's mental health in primary care: Finnish parents', teachers' and public health nurses' experiences with the SDQ
T2 - Journal of child and adolescent mental health
TI - Feasibility of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in assessing children's mental health in primary care: Finnish parents', teachers' and public health nurses' experiences with the SDQ
U1 - Healthcare Disparities
U2 - 25533409
U3 - 10.2989/17280583.2014.923432
VL - 26
VO - 1728-0591; 1728-0583
Y1 - 2014
ER -