DIFFERENTIAL PREDICTIVE VALUE OF PARENTS AND TEACHERS REPORTS OF CHILDRENS PROBLEM BEHAVIORS - A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY

This study investigated the prediction of signs of disturbance in 946 children originally aged 4 to 11 years from the general population acr oss a 6-year period. Parents' and teachers' ratings obtained via the C hild Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Teacher's Report Form (TRF) were te sted as predictors of (a) academic problems, (b) school behavior probl ems, (c) receipt of mental health services, (d) child's need for profe ssional help, (e) suicidal behavior, and (f) police contacts. Total pr oblem scores in the deviant range on the CBCL or TRF were significantl y associated with poor outcomes 6 years later. The combination of devi ant scores on both the CBCL and TRF was a powerful predictor of poor o utcomes with 56% of the girls, and 36% of the boys with total problem scores in the deviant range on both instruments maladjusted 6 years la ter. The CBCL syndromes Attention Problems and Delinquent Behavior, an d the TRF syndromes Delinquent Behavior, Somatic Complaints, and Socia l Problems significantly predicted poor outcomes. Teachers' reports pr edicted poor outcomes equally well or even somewhat better than parent s' reports. It is important to include teacher information in the diag nostic assessment of children.