Psychometric Analysis of the Greek Version of the Sibling Relationship Questionnaire (SRQ)

Abstract

Introduction

Siblings’ relationships have been seen as determinants of emotional and personal development. Although Greece is assumed a country with strong family bonds there is not empirical research in this area. Similarly Ireland is traditionally viewed as a country with strong family values.

Objectives

In an attempt to conduct a comparative study of siblings’ relations the lack of a Greek valid instrument was obvious. The Sibling Relationship Questionnaire (SRQ) is a widely used scale which is a self reported measurement of this relationship.

Aims

Thus, in an attempt to employ an easily administered and valid measure, to assess sibling relationships, but also to be able to compare the results across countries the SRQ was the scale of choice.

Methods

Participants

a random sample of 185 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years old. SRQ has been translated (forward and backwards) to Greek language. Concurrent validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability and agreement between children-parents versions of the translated scale were investigated.

Results

The concurrent validity ranged from 0.29 to 0.68, the overall internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was equal to 0.86 and the test-retest reliability (Spearman's rho) ranged from 0.58 to 0.78. Agreement between children-parents versions was significant only when mothers do the rating.

Conclusions

Thus it seems that the translated Greek version of SRQ is a valid and reliable instrument to be used in the measurement of sibling relationships in Greek population, and can be used as a measurement for multinational clinical research and comparison with findings from other countries.