Can the SDQ be used for aboriginal children?

• A. Yes for urban aboriginal children but the peer scale must be interpreted with caution
• B. No
• C. Yes for all aboriginal children
• D. Only in rural areas

Answer: (A)

The SDQ can be used with urban Aboriginal children, but special care is needed when interpreting the peer relationships subscale. Cultural differences in how friendships and social interactions are understood and expressed can affect how items on that scale are answered, so clinicians should interpret that portion with caution and consider cultural context and language factors. There is less supporting evidence for universal use across all Aboriginal communities, especially in rural or remote areas where norms and experiences may differ more from the populations the SDQ was originally developed in. So the best takeaway is that it’s acceptable to use the SDQ with urban Aboriginal children, provided the peer scale is interpreted thoughtfully and with cultural awareness.