TY - JOUR

T1 - Harmonisation of assessments of attention, social, emotional, and behaviour problems using the Child Behavior Checklist and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire

AU - Baumann, Nicole

AU - Anderson, Peter J.

AU - Johnson, Samantha

AU - Marlow, Neil

AU - Wolke, Dieter

AU - Jäkel, Julia

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The Authors. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PY - 2024/3

Y1 - 2024/3

N2 - Objectives: Retrospective harmonisation of data obtained through different instruments creates measurement error, even if the underlying concepts are assumed the same. We tested a novel method for item-level data harmonisation of two widely used instruments that measure emotional and behavioural problems: the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Methods: Item content of the CBCL and SDQ was mapped onto four dimensions: emotional problems, peer relationship problems, hyperactivity/inattention and conduct problems. A diverse test sample was drawn from four prospective longitudinal birth cohort studies in Australia and Europe who used one or both instruments. The pooled sample included 5188 data points assessing children and adolescents aged 6–13 years (N = 257–704 participants per cohort). Measurement invariance was assessed using latent variable multi-group confirmatory factor analysis. Results: Fifteen items from the CBCL and SDQ were mapped onto four dimensions allowing for measurement invariance testing as part of a stepwise process. Partial strict invariance between CBCL and SDQ assessments was established for all four dimensions. Conclusions: The harmonised dimensions of emotional, peer relationship, hyperactivity/inattention and conduct problems are invariant across the CBCL and SDQ suggesting that these dimensions can be reliably compared with limited measurement error.

AB - Objectives: Retrospective harmonisation of data obtained through different instruments creates measurement error, even if the underlying concepts are assumed the same. We tested a novel method for item-level data harmonisation of two widely used instruments that measure emotional and behavioural problems: the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Methods: Item content of the CBCL and SDQ was mapped onto four dimensions: emotional problems, peer relationship problems, hyperactivity/inattention and conduct problems. A diverse test sample was drawn from four prospective longitudinal birth cohort studies in Australia and Europe who used one or both instruments. The pooled sample included 5188 data points assessing children and adolescents aged 6–13 years (N = 257–704 participants per cohort). Measurement invariance was assessed using latent variable multi-group confirmatory factor analysis. Results: Fifteen items from the CBCL and SDQ were mapped onto four dimensions allowing for measurement invariance testing as part of a stepwise process. Partial strict invariance between CBCL and SDQ assessments was established for all four dimensions. Conclusions: The harmonised dimensions of emotional, peer relationship, hyperactivity/inattention and conduct problems are invariant across the CBCL and SDQ suggesting that these dimensions can be reliably compared with limited measurement error.

KW - CBCL

KW - data harmonisation

KW - measurement invariance

KW - mental health

KW - SDQ

U2 - 10.1002/mpr.2001

DO - 10.1002/mpr.2001

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:85182225997

VL - 33

JO - International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research (Print)

JF - International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research (Print)

SN - 1049-8931

IS - 1

M1 - e2001

ER -