Gender
Boys were more likely to have difficulties than girls in all areas. This was particularly the case in terms of hyperactivity/inattention difficulties, conduct problems and difficulties with pro-social behaviours. Boys had levels of hyperactivity/inattention two and a half times higher than girls in P3.
Notes
SDQ - Goodman’ Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a brief behavioural screening questionnaire for children. It covers five areas: Conduct Problems, Hyperactivity/inattention, Peer Relationship Problems, Emotional Symptoms and Pro-social Behaviours. The first four of these are rated negatively (that is, they pick up difficulties in children). These can be added together to give a Total Difficulties score, which shows an indication of overall difficulties that the child is experiencing. The final area, Pro-social Behaviours, is a positively scored scale, so it shows things the child does e.g. ‘is helpful if someone is hurt or upset’. The Total Difficulties score and the sub-scale scores can be split into groups which indicate whether a child has no difficulties, possible difficulties or likely difficulties.
This analysis reports on results from Primary 3 SDQs in the academic years 2011/12 and 2012/13 combined (data collected in February/March of each academic year). For more information on the study see About the Study.