Codes and Frequencies
Description
For sample children ages 4-17, SDQHYPE reports the hyperactivity subscale score of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) based on responses to five variables:
- Restless or overactive, past 6 months (OVERACTIVE)
- Constantly fidgeting, past 6 months (FIDGETY)
- Easily distracted, past 6 months (DISTRACTED)
- Thinks before acting, past 6 months (THINKSFIRST)
- Good attention span and finishes tasks, past 6 months (GOODATTEN)
For more information about the SDQ, please see WORRIED.
Calculating a Hyperactivity Subscale Score for the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire
The SDQ Scoring Guide provides guidance on scoring responses to OVERACTIVE, FIDGETY, DISTRACTED, THINKSFIRST, and GOODATTEN to generate a hyperactivity subscale score ranging from 0 to 10. Under these guidelines, for the variables OVERACTIVE, FIDGETY, and DISTRACTED, the response "not true" is given a score of 0; a response of "somewhat true" is given a score of 1; and a response of "certainly true" is given a score of 2. The opposite is true for THINKSFIRST and GOODATTEN: the response "not true" is given a score of 2; a response of "somewhat true" is given a score of 1; and a response of "certainly true" is given a score of 0. Summing the five individual scores yields a total emotional problems subscale score between 0 and 10.
According to the SDQ Scoring Guide, the hyperactivity subscale score can be used as a continuous variable, but it is sometimes convenient to classify it into broader categories for easier interpretation of results. Under the original three-band categorization, total hyperactivity subscale scores can be identified as normal, borderline, or abnormal: a total score of 0-5 is normal; a score of 6 is borderline; and a score of 7-10 is abnormal. Under the newer four-band categorization, total scores can be identified as close to average, slightly raised, high, or very high: a total score of 0-5 is close to average; a score of 6-7 is slightly raised; a score of 8 is high; and a score of 9-10 is very high.
In the NHIS, respondents were given a code of 98 ("Not ascertained-more than two responses missing") if more than two of the five component variables of the emotional subscale score had responses of "don't know," "refused," or "not ascertained."
NHIS began offering SDQHYPE in 2019. IPUMS NHIS staff constructed SDQHYPE for 2001, 2003, and 2004 using the conventions outlined above.
Other SDQ Scores
Comparability
With the exception of the questionnaire redesign introduced in 2019, this variable is completely comparable over time. The NHIS questionnaire was substantially redesigned in 2019 to introduce a different data collection structure and new content. For more information on changes in terminology, universes, and data collection methods beginning in 2019, please see the user note.
Universe
- 2001; 2003; 2004: Sample children ages 4-17.
- 2019 2022: Sample children ages 4-17.
Availability
- 2001, 2003-2004, 2019, 2022
Weights
- 2001, 2003-2004, 2019, 2022 : SAMPWEIGHT