How is the Total Difficulties Score calculated in the SDQ?

• A. Sum of all five SDQ subscales
• B. Sum of the four negative subscales
• C. Average of the four negative subscales
• D. Sum of internalising and externalising subscales

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that the Total Difficulties Score represents overall difficulties by adding up the problem domains, not including strengths. Specifically, you combine the four subscales that measure problems—emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, and peer relationship problems. The prosocial subscale, which reflects positive behavior, is not part of this total.

Choosing the sum of these four problem areas gives a single score that reflects overall difficulties across the main domains. Adding all five subscales would mix in a positive strength area, which isn’t how the total is defined. Averaging would yield a different metric, and summing internalising and externalising alone wouldn’t capture all four problem areas.