This study evaluates the psychometric properties of four models of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in a sample of 1470 children and adolescents from Biblián, Ecuador. The instrument has been used by researchers and students. However, there are not reports that show that the instrument is valid or reliable in the Ecuadorian context. Reliability was evaluated through Cronbach’s Alpha, McDonald’s Omega, Intra-class Correlations and Greatest Lower Bound (GLB). Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) with polychoric correlation matrix and Diagonally Weighted Least Square (DWLS) estimator is performed in each model. Due to possible readability problems, CFA was performed in three age groups. Measurement invariance analysis across biological sex and two groups of age is carried out. CFA and reliability analysis revealed poor construct validity of the original version of SDQ. Three additional factor structures were tested. A version that includes a prosocial subscale, and ҅ internalizing ҆ subscale and an ҅ externalizing ҆ subscale has the best yet insufficient construct validity properties among the four models (CFI = .858, TLI = .844, RMSEA = .055, WRMR = 1.588). Cronbach’s Alpha for the subscales ranged from .44 to .71, McDonald’s Omega from .22 to .606, GLB from .612 to .693, and ICC from .385 to .63. Measurement invariance analysis found no evidence of invariance across sex groups and evidence of partial invariance across age groups. The four tested models have questionable psychometric properties. Consequently, the use of the SDQ in the Ecuadorian context is not advisable. The three-factor first-order model of the SDQ that shows the best validity and reliability properties does not have undisputed psychometric properties. Comparisons across groups of age and/or sex using the SDQ should not be made.

中文翻译：

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在厄瓜多尔语境下自我报告版本的优缺点问卷的心理计量学特性：对四个模型的评估

这项研究评估了来自厄瓜多尔比布利安（Biblián）的1470名儿童和青少年样本中的四种优势与困难问卷（SDQ）的心理计量学特性。该仪器已被研究人员和学生使用。但是，没有报告表明该文书在厄瓜多尔语境下是有效或可靠的。通过Cronbach's Alpha，McDonald's Omega，类内关联和最大下界（GLB）评估了可靠性。在每个模型中都进行了探索性因素分析（EFA）和确认性因素分析（CFA）以及多变量相关矩阵和对角加权最小二乘（DWLS）估计器。由于可能的可读性问题，CFA在三个年龄组中进行。进行了跨性别和两组年龄的测量不变性分析。CFA和可靠性分析显示，原始版本的SDQ的构造有效性较差。测试了三个其他因素结构。包含亲社会子量表，҅内部化҅子量表和҅外部化҆子量表的版本在四个模型中具有最佳但不足的构造效度属性（CFI = .858，TLI = .844，RMSEA = .055，WRMR = 1.588 ）。Cronbach的Alpha分量表范围为.44至.71，McDonald's Omega的范围为.22至.606，GLB的范围为.612至.693，ICC的范围为.385至.63。测量不变性分析发现，没有证据表明性别群体之间存在不变性，也没有证据表明年龄组之间存在局部不变性。这四个测试模型具有可疑的心理测量特性。因此，不建议在厄瓜多尔语境下使用SDQ。SDQ的三因素一阶模型显示出最佳的有效性和可靠性，其心理计量学特性也不容置疑。不应使用SDQ在年龄和/或性别之间进行比较。