Cultural adaptation, validation and standardization of the developmental screening tools ASQ:SE-2 in Iranian children

The Ages and Stages Questionnaires: Social-Emotional, Second Edition (ASQ) is a parental-report tool designed to assess the social-emotional development of young children. Its adaptation and validation in diverse cultural contexts are vital for its effective application. This study aimed to culturally adapt, validate, and standardize the ASQ for Iranian children. A cross-sectional study involving a random sample of Iranian children aged 1-66 months was conducted. Validity and cultural adaptation were assessed through expert panel evaluations, while nationwide sampling ensured reliability and validity. Statistical analyses included Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency and the determination of score ranges defining monitoring zones and cut-off points. Face and content validity, along with cultural relevance, were confirmed by 51 experts. Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.655 to 0.789, indicating acceptable reliability across age groups. The prevalence of social-emotional developmental delays (scores above the cut-off) was 22.8 %, with 7 % of children falling within the monitoring zone. The highest rate of delays was in the 12-month age group (28.39 %), while the lowest was in the 2-month group (17.12 %). The culturally adapted Persian ASQ provides a valuable tool for assessing social-emotional development in Iranian children.