Evaluación de propiedades psicométricas del cuestionario capacidades y dificultades en adolescentes en una unidad educativa

Abstract

The application of valid and reliable tools in clinical psychological work with adolescents has received special importance due to the need to reduce biases in the psychopathological evaluation. This research was aimed at evaluating the psychometric properties of validity and reliability of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in adolescents of the canton Paute. The population was formed by the students of the Unidad Educativa Agronómico Salesiano, belonging to the courses of eighth to third of baccalaureate during the period 2017-2018, with an age included between 11 and 16 years. The study had a quantitative approach, the design was of non-experimental cutting and the scope of exploratory type. The scale was applied to 218 adolescents, who were selected through simple probabilistic sampling, with a confidence level of 95%, 5% error percentage and a response distribution of 50%. The internal consistency of the questionnaire obtained a deficient alpha at the acceptable level (𝛼 = 0.65), in a similar way the five subdimensions addressed (𝛼 > 0.70). The exploratory factor analysis found an internal structure of eight factors that explained 56.3% of the variance. The analysis of concurrent validity of the dimensions of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and those of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule scale showed a low positive correlation. It is concluded that the instrument presents deficient reliability and questionable validity, therefore, it is recommended the use of other questionnaires in our context or the modification of the structure prior to its application.