Validation of the Arabic Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Development and Well-Being Assessment

We examined the validity of the Arabic versions of 2 main measures of child psychopathol- ogy: the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Development and Well-Being Assess- ment (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 psy- chiatric 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.