This study presents the psychometric properties of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in a sample of 386 Northern Irish adolescents. Structural validity was evaluated by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Agreement was found with 3 of the 5 original factor structures: Emotional Problems, Prosocial, and Hyperactivity. However, unlike in the original SDQ, there appeared to be 2 distinct and separate Conduct factors, an Aggressive Conduct and an Antisocial Conduct factor. Furthermore, there appeared to be a Good Behavior factor, which is not present in the original factor structure. The findings imply that when using the SDQ with children and adolescents exposed to community and political conflict, results should be interpreted with caution. Further research is warranted to explore the reliability of the original factor structure with these young people who experience unique developmental trajectories compared with their peers who do not grow up in such an environment.
The "contact hypothesis" su ggests that desegregation is good for minority group members, but this view has been challenged by studies describing a so-called "ethnic density effect". This stu dy examined the possibility of an "ethnic density effect" in the context of historical ethno-religious segregation in Northern Ireland. It was hypothesised that the "ethnic density effect" is not simply the result of structural variables, such as ethnic population mix at local community level, but also on individual perceptions of area based ethno-religious group density, perceptions of their local group status and their levels of in-group identification or solidarity. Data from 1000 randomly selected participants were tested for ethno-religious group invariance in the prediction of psychological adjustment, as measured by the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Results indicated a small direct "ethnic density effect" based on perceptions of religious mix at local level (p < .05). Ethno-religious differences were observed in the relationships between perceived ethnic density and perceived discrimination (p < .05). The "ethnic density effect" reported in some cultural contexts was evident in Northern Ireland and this has implications for policy makers concerned with community relations.
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