Background. Previous research has suggested that behavioural problems
displayed during the preschool years are best understood as undifferen
tiated difficulties in manageability. The present study explored this
issue, by examining the structure of British parents' ratings of their
pre-school children's behavioural problems. Method. The 19-item Behav
ioural Checklist (BCL; Richman, 1977) was completed by 1047 parents of
3-year-old children taking part in an epidemiological survey of child
development. Results. Factor analysis revealed six factors representi
ng poor social adjustment, poor emotional adjustment, sleep problems,
over-activity/inattention, eating problems and soiling. When these sco
res were used as a basis for cluster analysis, problem types clustered
around six centres. The first, and largest, grouping was of children
with no problems. Three further large groupings displayed specific but
moderate problems (over-active, timid, and naughty children). The fin
al two groupings displayed more extreme problems including anti-social
behaviour. In one group these were accompanied by severe emotional pr
oblems and in the other by signs of hyperactivity. The reliability and
validity of these clusters was supported. Parental ratings of behavio
ur problems taken when the children were 8-years-old suggested that th
e children in the hyperactive/conduct group were likely to have contin
ued difficulties. Conclusion. This paper argues against the homogeneit
y of pre-school behaviour problems but supports the idea that problems
of a clinically significant level are likely to be co-morbid, with ei
ther problems of emotional regulation (neurotic) or those of behaviour
al regulation (hyperactive) accompanied by problems of conduct.