Examining the predictive utility of the self-report Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire with middle school students

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the added value of universal mental health screening in school settings. A total of 1735 students were screened using the youth self-report version of Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ-SR). Non-parametric models were fit to data from the SDQ-SR Internalizing and Externalizing subscales to predict total ODRs by the end of the school year. Final models confirmed the positive predictive relationship between SDQ-SR externalizing scores and ODRs and consistently found internalizing scores to be a negative predictor of ODRs. Specifically, for every 1-point increase in the Externalizing score, ODRs increase by .09 standard deviations; for every 1-point increase in Internalizing scores, ODRs decrease by 0.02 standard deviations. Findings suggested that students with internalizing concerns were likely under-identified when examining patterns in ODRs alone. The implementation of school-based universal mental health screening in addition to examining patterns in academic and behavioral outcomes may assist school personnel in identifying students with emerging social-emotional difficulties.