In Hungary there is no standardized tool to screen early social‐emotional difficulties.
This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Hungarian version
of the Ages and Stages Questionnaires: Social‐Emotional Second Edition for 18‐month‐olds
(ASQ:SE‐2/18). Two studies were conducted. Study 1 involved translation, cultural
adaptation, and validation in a convenient sample ( N = 423). Study 2 used a nationally
representative sample ( N = 4918) to evaluate the factor structure, internal consistency,
predictive validity and socioeconomic and demographic correlates. Study 1 supported
the cultural adequacy of the Hungarian ASQ:SE‐2/18, and a comparison with the Child
Behavior Checklist 1.5–5 provided evidence for its validity. In Study 2, the two‐factor
model, consisting of Emotional Difficulty ( α = .74) and Social Difficulty ( α =
.69), fit better than the single‐factor model and showed acceptable internal consistency.
Being at risk for social (odds ratio = 1.7) or emotional (odds ratio = 3.6) development
at 18 months predicted socio‐emotional difficulties at age 3 assessed by the Strengths
and Difficulties Questionnaire. Socioeconomic disadvantages were correlated with higher
levels of social‐emotional risk. In conclusion, the study demonstrated the reliability
of the Hungarian ASQ:SE‐2/18 and offered evidence supporting its validity. Emotional
difficulties at 18 months strongly predict later maladjustment, emphasizing the need
for early screening and further tool development.
