TRANSLATIONAL AND CLINICAL MEDICINE - Georgian Medical Journal

Background: The Stress in Children  is a short, easily administered, self-reported questionnaire, constructed to assess stress in younger children.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to validate a Georgian version of The Stress in Children questionnaire and to assess its psychometric qualities in a Georgian sample of Children from orphanages and the surrounding area.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was carried out in several orphanages of Georgia. A total of 116 orphaned children aged of 7 to 18 years from 11 orphanages (study group). An equal number of schoolchildren from nearby communities were selected as a comparison group. Translation and adaptation of The Stress in Children  was carried out by forward-backward translation method. Pilot test-retest study (time interval between test and retest was 7 days) with 30 bilingual children age of 7 to 18 years. Association of responses considered acceptable if Pearson’s R≥0.7. Based on this pilot study translated version The Stress in Children -Georgia was adapted by correct comprehension, grammar correctness and comprehensibility.

Results: Final stage showed acceptable association of test and re-test responses was R=0.769. The association of Test and Re-Test responses on The Stress in Children original and translated versions was significant for all questions, and internal consistencies for both methods were acceptable. Cronbach’s alpha for internal consistency of test responses was 0.883 (95%CI – 0.796-0.970). The comparison of mean total and subscale scores of The Stress in Children -Georgia in the study group (orphaned children) were significantly higher compared to control group – for factor 1 (distress) - 19.8 ± 4.3 vs. 13.9 ± 3.1, respectively, p<0.001; for factor 2 (wellbeing) - 15.2 ± 3.8 vs. 10.0 ± 2.3, respectively, p<0.001; for factor 3 (social support) - 9.3 ± 2.9 vs. 6.1 ± 1.6, respectively, p<0.001; Total - 48.1 ± 8.7 vs. 33.1 ± 6.1, respectively, p<0.001.

Conclusions: The Georgian version of The Stress in Children  Questionnaire used in the present study, demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties (content validity, internal reliability) that support its use as a valid screening measure for childhood stress. This easily administered tool could be used in future studies of childhood stress in Georgia.

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