Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)
The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a 25-item scale screening emotional and behavioural difficulties in children and adolescents aged 4–17. It has five subscales: Emotional Symptoms, Conduct Problems, Hyperactivity/Inattention, Peer Relationship Problems and Prosocial Behaviour. The Total Difficulties Score is the sum of the first four subscales (0–40). The platform provides the scoring structure (subscales, reverse items, cutoffs); item texts are loaded from the licensed official SDQ form.
- Questions
- 25
- Est. time
- ~5 min
- Delivery
- Online · remote
- Scoring
- Automatic
What does the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) measure?
- •Emotional symptoms and conduct problems
- •Hyperactivity/inattention and peer relationships
- •Prosocial behaviour (a strength)
Who is it for?
Used for general emotional/behavioural screening in children aged 4–17. Electronic/software use requires a Youthinmind licence; item texts are loaded from the official form after obtaining the licence.
How is the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) scored and interpreted?
Each item is scored 0–2. The Total Difficulties Score is the sum of the four difficulty subscales (0–40); official cutoffs: 0–13 normal, 14–16 borderline, 17–40 high. Prosocial Behaviour is reported separately (higher = better).
Frequently asked questions
How many subscales does the SDQ measure?
+
Five: Emotional Symptoms, Conduct Problems, Hyperactivity/Inattention, Peer Relationship Problems and Prosocial Behaviour.
Is the SDQ free?
+
The SDQ is free for paper use, but electronic/software integration requires a Youthinmind licence. The platform prepares the structure; items are loaded with the licence.
Does the SDQ provide a diagnosis?
+
No. This is a screening/assessment tool; it does not provide a clinical diagnosis on its own. Results should be interpreted only by a licensed mental-health professional as part of a clinical evaluation.
Related scales
- Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED)A 41-item self-report scale screening anxiety disorders across 5 subscales in children and adolescents aged 8–18.
- Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale — Short (RCADS-25)A 25-item short form screening anxiety and low mood in children aged 8–18.
- Children's Depression Inventory (CDI)A 27-item self-report scale assessing depressive symptoms in children and adolescents aged 7–17.
- Classroom Peer Relations and Behavior Observation ScaleA 30-item form in which a teacher rates a student's peer relations, social adjustment and behavioral control in the classroom and at play.
Source: Goodman, R. (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire); © Youthinmind.
This page is informational and does not contain the actual questions. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a screening/assessment tool and does not provide a diagnosis on its own. Results should be interpreted only by a licensed mental-health professional as part of a clinical evaluation.
Administer the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to your clients
With Psikometri, assign this scale remotely via a single link; results are scored automatically and turned into a report. No credit card required.
- ✓Automatic scoring and severity band
- ✓One-click, branded PDF reports
- ✓KVKK-compliant, encrypted and secure