W. Hellinckx et al., COMPETENCE AND BEHAVIORAL-PROBLEMS IN 6-YEAR-OLD TO 12-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN IN FLANDERS (BELGIUM) AND HOLLAND - A CROSS-NATIONAL COMPARISON, Journal of emotional and behavioral disorders, 2(3), 1994, pp. 130-142
The Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach, 1991) was used to obtain data
on 1,120 Flemish and 1,122 Dutch children, ages 6 to 12 years. These
data were analyzed in a cross-national comparison. Several small diffe
rences between nationalities were found for competence: Dutch children
scored significantly higher on the Activities scale, whereas Flemish
children scored significantly higher on the School scale. There were c
onsiderable similarities between the two samples for problem behavior.
No differences between Flemish and Dutch children were found on total
problem scores. Cross-national differences on problem items were smal
ler and less numerous than differences for sex, age, or socioeconomic
status. Although the Flemish and the Dutch societies have very strong
affinities, some unusual differences in problem behavior and competenc
e between children of the two societies are noted. This cross-national
comparison contributed to the research on standardized assessment pro
cedures of behavioral and emotional problems in children.