Several psychometric characteristics of adjusted questionnaires for children

In the Netherlands there are no questionnaires available that measure social
support, stress and coping strategies among children from 6 to 11 years old,
using self report questionnaires.
Until now, for measuring these constructs, the parents have been used as proxy
informants. However, using parents as proxy informants is not always preferable
when measuring subjective constructs, since research showed discrepancies
between the child and the parent reports. In addition, research has shown that
children can provide reliable and accurate information when being used as
informants.
Several instruments are available to measure the constructs mentioned above for
children 12 years of age and up. Therefore, the aim of this study is to adjust
existing questionnaires for tchildren from 6 to 11 years old, and to examine
whether the adjusted questionnaires have acceptable psychometric
characteristics.

Instrument development for measuring stress, social support and coping in The
Netherlands among young children:
The aim of the study is to examine whether 3 adjusted questionnaires for
children between 6 and 11 years old, show acceptable internal reliability. As
a secondary objectives the test-retest reliability and factor structure will be
examined.

The instrument development for young children is split up in two phases:
Phase 1 consists of the adjustment of 3 existing questionnaires that have been
validated for children of 12 years and above. A teacher panel was asked to
assist with this procedure. Teachers gave their written opinion on the
appropriateness and the level of complexity of the questions, including
suggestions to adjust questions.
Phase 2 consists of examining the internal reliability, factor structure and
test-retest reliability for the adjusted questionnaires. This will be examined
with a study among 380 children between 6 and 11 years old. The children will
be asked to fill out the same questionnaire twice with two weeks in between.

The participants are asked to fill out the same questionnaires twice and while
they are at school. A teacher will be present for questions. Filling out the
questionnaire will take 15 minutes of their time. Parents are asked for
informed consent before the study will take place (see informed consent p. 11).

Participants are not expected to be at any risk. Participation is voluntarily
and all participants are allowed to end their participation at any time,
without any explanation. The questionnaire will be filled out under
supervision.