BEHAVIORAL EARTHQUAKES - LOW-FREQUENCY, SALIENT BEHAVIORAL EVENTS THAT DIFFERENTIATE STUDENTS AT-RISK FOR BEHAVIORAL-DISORDERS

Children considered to be at high risk (n = 30), moderate risk (n = 55 ), and low risk (n = 30) for behavioral disorders were contrasted on c ognitive/achievement social competence, externalizing behavior, and sc hool history variables. Risk status was based on a 33-item checklist k nown as the Critical Events Index (Walker & Severson, 1990) that is a measure of behavioral pinpoints having high salience and intensity, bu t relatively low frequency Multivariate and univariate analyses showed that the three at-risk groups were differentiated primarily on social competence and externalizing behavior measures. Cross-validated stepw ise discriminant function analyses contrasting the High Risk and the L ow Risk groups using combinations of social competence, externalizing, internalizing, and school history variables correctly identified over 85% of the High Risk group and over 78% of the Low Risk group. Discri minant function analysis based soley on externalizing behaviors create d an unacceptable false negative rate for risk status. Findings are di scussed within the context of teacher judgments, critical behavioral e vents as being ''vital signs'' of childhood psychopathology, and the n eed for multimethod assessments of critical events.