Final answer:
The most correct statement regarding the scoring of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is that higher scores indicate more difficulties. Option (b) accurately reflects the scoring interpretation of the SDQ, where higher total difficulties scores suggest greater behavioral or emotional issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a behavioral screening tool used to assess the psychological well-being of children and adolescents. When scoring the SDQ, a higher score typically indicates more difficulties. It is a measure that helps to identify the behavioral and emotional functioning of the individual taking the assessment. Each part of the questionnaire has specific score parameters and cutoffs that can indicate normal, borderline, or abnormal ranges of behavior. To answer the original question, option (b) Higher scores indicate more difficulties is most correct regarding the scoring of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. This means that if a higher total difficulties score is obtained, it points towards more significant behavioral or emotional issues. Conversely, lower scores suggest fewer difficulties.
Regarding the specific score of '50', it does not indicate average functioning for the SDQ; rather, average scoring is typically determined by normative data which varies depending on the population and the specific version of the questionnaire being used. Hence the correct interpretation and implications of an individual's score should be done in the context of these norms and cutoffs.