Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey 2015: mental wellbeing summary

Key Long Term Trends

Overall Total Difficulties Score

Around two thirds (69%) of all pupils had a normal SDQ score, while 16% had a borderline score and a further 15% had an abnormal score. There has been a slight decline in the percentage of pupils with a normal score between 2010 and 2015.

Trends in overall SDQ score (2006-2015)

Total Difficulties Scores by Age and Sex

There is a considerable gap between 15 year old girls and all other demographic groups. This gap increased between 2010 and 2013 but there was no further increase between 2013 and 2015. The only change between 2013 and 2015 was a slight increase in the proportion of 15 year old boys with a borderline or abnormal score.

Trends in overall SDQ scores by sex and age 2006 - 2015 (% borderline or abnormal score) (2006-2015)