Abstract: | SUMMARY This study evaluated whether a brief screening measure of child psychosocial functioning completed by parents could assist drug and alcohol workers to identify which of their client's children needed follow-up support. As part of a broader research and intervention program for 4–13 year old children with substance dependent parents, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and a broader clinical assessment were completed with the families of 48 children. Validating its usefulness in this population, significant and moderate correlations were found between SDQ scores and workers' assessments of children's social, emotional, and cognitive development and schooling. |