The Factor Structure of the Little Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire and Its Associations with Internalizing and Externalizing Difficulties and Prosocial Behavior in Preschool-Age Children in Italy

Early identification of motor difficulties is crucial, as motor competence represents a foundational developmental skill that supports children’s participation in everyday activities and influences broader socio-emotional adjustment. Within this framework, this study examined the factor structure of the Italian version of the Little Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (LDCDQ-IT) and its associations with socio-emotional functioning. Parents of 429 preschool children (223 boys, 52.0%; 206 girls, 48.0%), aged 33–76 months (M = 48.77, SD = 8.43), in Italy completed the Little Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (LDCDQ-IT) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). An Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) suggested one principal factor of motor competence. Then, a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) confirmed the unidimensional structure of the LDCDQ-IT, with a good model fit. Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses revealed configural, metric, and scalar invariance of the scale between two age groups (33–47 months and 48–76 months). A multivariate regression analysis revealed that higher motor competence was associated with increased prosocial behavior and fewer internalizing and externalizing difficulties. These findings support the unidimensional factor structure of the LDCDQ-IT and highlight the role of motor competence in early socio-emotional development. Overall, the study underscores the value of early screening and the integration of motor and socio-emotional assessment tools in preschool settings.