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. 2021 Nov 10;65(5):222–229. doi: 10.3345/cep.2021.01004

Table 2.

Tools for assessing psychosocial issues and quality of life of children and their parents/caregivers

Tools Purpose/primary use No. of items and administration time Target population Strengths and limitations
CBCL/6–18 YSR/11–18, and TRF/6–18) [40] It measures internalizing behavior problems, externalizing behavior problems and social competence in children and adolescence based on the preceding 6 months. 113 Behavioral items, scored as (0) not true, (1) somewhat true, (2) very true or often true. CBCL/6–18 parents Strengths: Multiple CBCL information can be collected on the same child.
15 to 20 minutes YSR/11–18 youths TRF/6–18 teachers familiar to the child It is a reliable and valid measure used for both clinical interventions and research purposes.
Translated in other languages.
Limitations: It takes a long time to fill the form.
Scoring is complex.
SDQ [41] It screens children's emotional problems, conduct disorder, hyperactivity, peer problems, and prosocial behaviors over the last 6 months. 25 Items, scored as 0 (not true). 1 (sometimes true), 2 (certainly true). Children between ages 4 to 17 years; Strengths: reliable and valid measure.
parent, teacher, and self-report versions are available It can be used for both clinical interventions and research purposes.
5 Minutes Easy to administer.
Translated in other languages.
Limitation: children below 11 years cannot self-report.
RSE [42] It measures global selfesteem 10 Items rated on a 4-point scale as strongly agree, agree, disagree, and strongly disagree. Children above 12 years Strengths: There is considerable evidence of its reliability and validity.
Translated in other languages.
5 Minutes Quick and easy to administer.
Limitation: Validity not established for children below 12 years of age.
CFSEI- [43] It is a self-report inventory to identify children who may require psychological evaluation and intervention. It is also applicable in research studies. Primary form- 29 items, Intermediate form- 64 items, Adolescent form- 67 items. Ages between 6-18.11 years. Strengths: It is a culture fair test that has good reliability and validity.
The responses are in yes or no format. Primary form for 6 to 8 years of age Limitations: Sometimes responses may not reflect their actual emotional state, and there are chances of giving socially desirable answers.
1015 Minutes Intermediate form for 9 to 12 years of age
Adolescent form for 13 to 18 years of age.
CDI-2 [44] It assesses the cognitive, affective, and behavioral signs of depression. CDI 2: Self report has 28 items and Parent, teacher, and self-report (7-17 years) are available Strengths: Reliable and valid tool and can be used in settings such as schools and clinics.
CDI 2: Self-report short version has 12 items. The responses are marked as 0 (absence of symptoms), 1 (mild symptom), 2 (definite symptom). Translated in other languages.
CDI 2: Teacher has 12 items, and CDI 2: parent has 17 items. The responses are marked as 0 (not at all), 1 (sometimes), 2 (often), 3 (most of the time). Limitations: test results must be corroborated with other findings such as clinical interview and must be confirmed by a qualified clinician.
5–15 Minutes
SCARED [45] It screens for childhood anxiety disorder and assesses panic/somatic, separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, and school phobia. 41 Items rated on a 3-point scale 0 (not true) to 2 (very true) Children between 8-18 years. Both child and parent versions are available. Strengths: It is a valid measure with good and sensitive to change in short interventions.
Translated in other languages.
Limitations: It should be used by a trained clinician
Insufficient evidence of test-retest reliability over short periods of time.
STAI-CH [46] It evaluates the current state of anxiety and also measures the stable aspects of anxiety. 40 Items and responses are rated on a 3-point scale. It is applicable for children between 9-12 years. Both parent and child versions are available. Strengths: It is a widely used measure of anxiety
20 Minutes Translated in other languages.
Limitations: The ability to detect change in trait anxiety is less responsive as compared to state anxiety.
PedsQL 4.0 [47] It can be used across pediatric populations with chronic and acute health conditions, community and school populations. Measures the physical, emotional, social, and school domains. 23 Items; Parent report and child report format: 5-point response scale (0 to 4). It has versions for toddlers (2-4), young children (5-7), children (8-12), and teens (13-18). Child rated version and parent-rated version are available. Strengths: Quick completion and easy to score.
Young child self-report format (ages 5-7): 3-point scale. It has good psychometric properties.
5 Minutes Translated in other languages.
Limitations: Charges applicable for funded research which can be expensive.
PedsQL ESRD Module 3.0 [48] It measures end-stage renal disease-specific health-related quality of life-general fatigue about my kidney disease, treatment problems, family and peer interaction, worry, perceived physical appearance, and communication. 34 Items and 7 subscales. It has versions for toddlers (2-4), young children (5-7), children (8-12), and teens (13-18). Child rated version and parent-rated version are available. Strengths: It has good psychometric properties.
Parent report and child report format: 5-point response scale (0 to 4). Translated in other languages.
Young child self-report format (ages 5-7): 3-point scale. Limitations: Charges applicable for funded research which can be expensive.
10 Minutes
GHQ-12 [49] Designed to measure the current mental health, GHQ was initially developed as a 60-item instrument, but a range of shortened versions 12, 20, 30 are available. 12 Statements, rated on a 4-point scale (less than usual, more than usual, rather more than usual, and much more than usual). Adolescents, parents Strengths: The GHQ-12 is brief, simple, easy to complete, and scored.
Its application in research settings as a screening tool is well documented.
5 Minutes Translated in other languages.
Limitations: Possibility of response bias on negatively stated items.
ZBI [50] It is designed to reflect the caregiver's stresses. 22 Items rated on a 5-point scale from 0 (never) to 4 (nearly always). Caregivers' self-report Strengths: It has been widely used in clinical practice and research.
5 minutes Translated in other languages.
Limitations: The self-checklist format can be limiting.
FES [51] It examines the family members’ current family as they perceive it, the type of family they prefer, and their expectations of what a family will be like. The FES can be measured in 3 ways Real (form R), Ideal form I) and Expected (form E). The FES is composed of 10 subscales measuring 3 dimen sions namely family relationship, personal growth, and system maintenance and change. 90 True or false items. Children 11 years and older Strengths: Widely used tool
15-20 Minutes Translated in other languages.
It is mainly used in clinical settings to facilitate family therapy. Limitations: Low internal consistency for 5 subscales.

CBCL/6-18, child behavior checklist; YSR/11-18, youth self-report; TRF/6-18, teacher's rating form; SDQ, strengths and difficulties questionnaire; RSE, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale; CFSEI-3, culture free self-esteem inventory 3rd edition; CDI-2, Children's Depression Inventory-2nd edition; SCARED, screen for child anxiety related emotional disorders; STAI-CH, state-trait anxiety inventory for children; PedsQL 4.0, Peds Quality of Life Questionnaire; PedsQL ESRD Module 3.0, ESRDspecific module; GHQ-12, general health questionnaire; ZBI, Zarit burden interview; FES, family environment scale.