Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)

Child Protection Board

The SDQ is a questionnaire that helps to get a picture of strengths and possible psychosocial problems in young people. It is administered in combination with the SPSy. The Child Protection Council uses the SDQ as a regular component during investigations in juvenile criminal cases to better understand a young person's situation.

Last change on 1st of December 2025, at 12:39 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0

• Publication category: Impactful algorithms
• Impact assessment: Field not filled in.
• Status: In use

General information

Theme

Law

Begin date

2013

Contact information

[e-mail]

Responsible use

Goal and impact

Purpose: The SDQ is used by the RvdK as a tool to collect information about a young person's psychosocial functioning (strengths and difficulties) in a structured way. It helps the counsellor to form a more complete picture and identify possible areas of concern.

Impact: Parents and young people are asked to complete the questionnaire themselves. The results are included in the analysis of the child's situation and can contribute to the advice the RvdK gives to, for example, the children's court. The SDQ does not lead to automatic decisions, but supports professional judgement.

Considerations

The RvdK chooses the SDQ because it is an internationally recognised, validated and widely used instrument in the Netherlands for identifying psychosocial problems and strengths. It provides a structured way to collect information that might otherwise be obtained less systematically. The SDQ is seen as a valuable complement to other research methods, if carefully embedded and interpreted. Consideration is given to the fact that it is a screening instrument and not a diagnostic tool.

Human intervention

The results (scores) of the SDQ are always interpreted by a qualified professional of the RvdK (e.g.: counsellor, behavioural expert). The scores are not considered in isolation, but are weighed in the context of all other information collected (file study, interviews, observations). The professional assesses the relevance and significance of the scores and, where appropriate, discusses them with those involved. There is no automated decision-making based on SDQ scores; human analysis and professional judgement are leading at all times.

Risk management

The RvdK recognises that there may be risks associated with the use of screening instruments, such as the risk of false positives or false negatives, or unintentional stigmatisation. To manage these risks, the SDQ is used by trained professionals who are aware of the instrument's limitations. This involves careful communication of the results with stakeholders to avoid those risks.

Legal basis

The basis for the RvdK's use of the SDQ lies in its legal duties. The tasks that apply when using the SDQ are laid down in the Criminal Code (Sr) and the Code of Criminal Procedure (Sv). The advisory task in the event of a behaviour-influencing measure is described in article 77w, paragraph 2 of the Criminal Code, the advisory task in the event of detention and early assistance is described in article 490 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and the advisory task in criminal cases of juveniles is described in articles 494/494a/498 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Below are hyperlinks to the articles of law in the above order.

Links to legal bases

• Section 77w Penal Code: https://wetten.overheid.nl/jci1.3:c:BWBR0001854&boek=Eerste&titeldeel=VIII_A&artikel=77w&z=2023-10-01&g=2023-10-01
• Article 490 Code of Criminal Procedure: https://wetten.overheid.nl/jci1.3:c:BWBR0001903&boek=Vierde&titeldeel=II&afdeling=Tweede&artikel=490&z=2023-10-01&g=2023-10-01
• Sections 494/494a/498 Code of Criminal Procedure: https://wetten.overheid.nl/jci1.3:c:BWBR0001903&boek=Vierde&titeldeel=II&afdeling=Tweede&artikel=494&z=2023-10-01&g=2023-10-01

Elaboration on impact assessments

A DPIA is not necessary because we do not process personal data. There is no risk to data subjects. Should personal data be processed and the counsellor actively assesses, the risk to data subjects may be low, so a DPIA is not required.

Operations

Data

The SDQ is based on answers from both a parent and the young person themselves about behaviour, feelings and social interactions. These answers provide a picture of the young person's functioning over the past six months. Answers are given on a three-point scale ('not true', 'somewhat true', 'definitely true'). The outcome of the questionnaire is incorporated into the report. Where the report indicates who completed this questionnaire in the form of roles (without name). The roles are indicated by: young person and father or mother if they filled it.

Technical design

The answers from the SDQ questions are converted into scores on the following scales for parents and for children: Emotional problems, Behavioural problems, Hyperactivity/Attention deficit, Social problems, and Prosocial behaviour. Each question is scored "not true", "somewhat true" or "definitely true". The scores of the first four scales are added up to a "Total Problem Score" from which comes a conclusion with "No/Nearly signs", "Some signs", "Many signs". Each scale also has the conclusion listed separately.

The Prosocial scale is separate and gets its own conclusion. Furthermore, there is a scale which indicates the "influence of said difficulties on environment and/or daily life" according to one of the parents (if he/she filled it in). The conclusions drawn from the scales help to identify strengths and possible psychosocial problems in children and adolescents. The instrument is not self-learning.

External provider

Developer: Prof Robert Goodman