Analysis

The analysis of the Social Functioning Questionnaire (SFQ) involves the use of statistical methods to determine the validity and reliability of the tool. The SFQ has been evaluated through various psychometric tests, including internal consistency analyses (such as Cronbach’s alpha) and test–retest reliability, to ensure that results remain stable over time. In addition, factor analyses have been conducted to identify the underlying dimensions of social functioning assessed by the SFQ.

Objective

The main objective of the SFQ is to provide a quick and effective method for assessing social functioning in both clinical and research settings. It is widely used for diagnosing and monitoring the progress of individuals with psychiatric disorders, such as depression and schizophrenia, as well as in other conditions that affect social adjustment. The SFQ’s ability to detect problems in social functioning can assist clinicians in designing targeted interventions and treatments.

Calibration

Calibration of the SFQ is carried out through a scoring system that evaluates participants’ responses to each item. Each question is typically rated on a Likert scale, with responses ranging from “not at all” to “very much” or from “never” to “always.” Total scores are obtained by summing the scores of individual items, with higher scores indicating better social functioning. Categorization of results helps in differential diagnosis and tailoring treatment to individual needs.

Bibliography

Tyrer, P. (1990). Personality disorder and social functioning. In D. F. Peck & C. M. Shapiro (Eds.), Measuring Human Problems: A Practical Guide (pp. 119–142). Wiley, Chichester.
Tyrer, P. (1993). Measurement of social function. In P. Tyrer & P. Casey (Eds.), Social Function in Psychiatry: The Hidden Axis of Classification Exposed (pp. 21–52). Petersfield, England: Wrightson Biomedical.
Tyrer, P., Nur, U., Crawford, M., Karlsen, S., McLean, C., Rao, B., & Johnson, T. (2005). The Social Functioning Questionnaire: A rapid and robust measure of perceived functioning. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 51, 265–275.
Tyrer, P., Nur, U., Crawford, M., Karlsen, S., McLean, C., Rao, B., & Johnson, T. (2005). Social Functioning Questionnaire. In C. A. Simmons & P. Lehmann (Eds.), Tools for Strengths-Based Assessment and Evaluation (pp. 340–342). New York, NY: Springer. (2013).