Psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the 13-item short mood and feelings questionnaire- parent version (SMFQ-P) to screen for depression in children

Abstract

Background: Understanding the connection between parental wellbeing and its impact on childhood depression is crucial in order to develop targeted interventions and support systems that can mitigate potential long-term effects on mental health. This study focuses on examining the properties of an Arabic translation of a questionnaire called Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire Parent Version (SMFQ-P) as a preliminary step toward validating a culturally relevant screening tool for childhood depression in Lebanon. Methods: A total of 502 parents, recruited through a snowball method, took part in the survey with an age of 36.24 years (SD ± 8.29). Among them 74.5% were females 88.8% were married and 72.9% had completed university level education. The children’s mean age was 7.95 ± 1.14 years. The SMFQ-P was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), reliability measures, and correlations with parental distress using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-8 (DASS-8). Results: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) demonstrated an excellent fit for the one-factor model of SMFQ-P scores (RMSEA = 0.059, 90% CI [0.049, 0.070]; SRMR = 0.034; CFI = 0.967; TLI = 0.960), with standardized factor loadings ranging from 0.58 to 0.82. Male parents reported more depression in their child than female parents (p =.016). Parental distress levels (r =.60, p