Syndrome dimensions of the Child Behavior Checklist and the Teacher ReportForm: a critical empirical evaluation

The construct representation of the cross-informant model of the Child Beha vior Checklist (CBCL) and the Teacher Report Form (TRF) was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis. Samples were collected in seven different co untries. The results are based on 13,226 parent ratings and 8893 teacher ra tings. The adequacy of fit for the cross-informant model was established on the basis of three approaches: conventional rules of fit, simulation, and comparison with other models. The results indicated that the cross-informan t model fits these data poorly. These results were consistent across countr ies, informants, and both clinical and population samples. Since inadequate empirical support for the cross-informant syndromes and their differentiat ion was found, the construct validity of these syndrome dimensions is quest ioned.