Dimensions of problem behaviors of emotionally disturbed children as seen by their parents and teachers

Compared the factor structure of parents' and teachers' ratings of children's behavior problems. Data were analyzed for a heterogeneous group of 194 emotionally disturbed boys and girls aged 3–13 years. Three factors emerged based on parents' ratings, and highly similar factors were obtained from teachers' ratings. The factors closely resemble the dimensions isolated in numerous previous studies, such as Quay's Conduct Problem, Inadequacy-Immaturity, and Personality Problem factors. The importance of the findings is discussed, especially pertaining to the analysis of parents' ratings.