Child Behavior Checklist

Abstract:

The Child Problem Behavior Checklist was generated from the Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach & Edelbrock, 1981), the Revised Behavior Problem Checklist (Quay & Peterson, 1987) and other behavior checklists. The scale is one of the most widely-used measures in child psychology. It is composed of 112 items that each significantly differentiate clinically-referred from non-referred children. The items of the CBCL were factor analyzed to empirically identify the forms of psychopathology that actually occur in children. These items are presented in alphabetical order to reduce the bias that might occur as a result of informants' preconceived notions regarding the presence or absence or a particular disorder.

These data were collected during the summer of the sixth year of Fast Track, when most children had just completed fifth grade. Children in the intervention group were not included in the analyses for this report. Children who were part of both the normative group and the high risk group were included with the high risk group only. Achenbach (1991) recommends that raw scores on the CBCL behavior syndromes and problems scales be used in research. At the high end of the distribution, raw scores may be more precise and uniform than t-scores. In addition, on the behavior syndromes - but not the problems scales - below average t-scores have been truncated at 50. However, if sex differences are not controlled in statistical analyses or if age differences among subjects are non-trivial, it may be preferable to use t-scores. Choosing to use an individual behavior syndrome score or a problems scale score should depend on the specific research question being asked. In general, however, the problems scales scores are going to be slightly more reliable because they are composed of more items. As with most measures of psychopathology, the distributions of scores on the CBCL tend to be skewed and kurtotic. Use caution in statistical analyses that are not robust to violations of normality.

Who Completed this Measure?: Parent

Cohort 1 - Administrative History

Year 01 | K | age 6
Year 02 | grade 1 | age 7
Year 03 | grade 2 | age 8
Year 06 | grade 5 | age 11
Year 08 | grade 7 | age 13

Cohort 2 - Administrative History

Year 01 | K | age 6
Year 02 | grade 1 | age 7
Year 03 | grade 2 | age 8
Year 05 | grade 4 | age 10
Year 06 | grade 5 | age 11
Year 08 | grade 7 | age 13

Cohort 3 - Administrative History

Year 01 | K | age 6
Year 02 | grade 1 | age 7
Year 03 | grade 2 | age 8
Year 05 | grade 4 | age 10
Year 06 | grade 5 | age 11
Year 08 | grade 7 | age 13

Raw Dataset Name: PyI

Scored Dataset Name: CBCySPc

Keywords:
Disobedience, Eating Disorders, Emotional Disturbances, Personality Problems, Physical Problems, Psychopathology, Psychosomatic Disorders, Self Destructive Behavior, Self Injurious Behavior, Sexuality, Sleep, Speech Language Pathology, Substance Abuse, Suicide

Is this Measure Available for Public Use?: No

Obtain Measure:

Fast Track obtained permission to use this measure in our study, but we are NOT ALLOWED TO DISTRIBUTE IT. To obtain a copy for your use, contact the source listed below.

ASEBA – Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment
1 South Prospect Street St. Joseph’s Wing (3rd Floor, Room# 3207)
Burlington, VT 05401-3456
Tel: 802-656-5130
Fax: 802-656-5131
E-mail (for orders and inquiries): cbcl@uvm.edu
Web: www.aseba.org