Prevalence of emotional and behavioral symptoms in spanish adolescents using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to examine the prevalence of emotional and behavioral symptoms, using the Strengths and Diffi culties Questionnaire (SDQ), in a representative sample of adolescents from the general Spanish population. The fi nal sample was composed of a total of 1,319 students, 631 male (47.8%) and 688 (52.2%) female, attending 28 schools. The mean age was 15.70 years (DT = 1.02). A high percentage of participants reported some emotional and/ or behavioral problem. Statistically signifi cant differences were found as a function of sex and age. Adolescence is a developmental stage where affective and behavioral symptomatology is fairly common. These results have implications for the comprehension of child and adolescent psychopathology as well as for the establishment of specifi c centers for assistance and prevention, and for early detection programs aimed at this specifi c sector of the population.