COMORBIDITY OF EXTERNALIZING AND INTERNALIZING PROBLEMS

Comorbidity refers to the coexistence of two or more distinct disorder s or syndromes in the same individual. Research findings are presented showing comorbidity of externalizing (aggression and delinquency), in ternalizing (anxiety, depression, somatic complaints, and withdrawal), and attention problems. Comorbidity is discussed within the conceptua l framework of the categorical classification system of DSM diagnoses and a quantitative taxonomy based on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBC L) and Teacher's Report Form (TRF). High comorbidity rates are reporte d for DSM diagnoses of conduct disorders with oppositional disorders, affective disorders, anxiety disorders, and attention deficit disorder s. High comorbidity also was found for paired combinations of the CBCL and TRF Aggressive Behavior, Delinquent Behavior, Anxious/Depressed, and Attention Problems syndromes. Implications of comorbidity are disc ussed for determining special education eligibility and designing scho ol-based interventions.