A behavior rating scale for the preschool child.

TLDR

The rise in preschool attendance has created a chance for early detection of emotional problems, yet few standardized screening tools exist for this age group. The authors adapted Rutter’s Children’s Behaviour Questionnaire and standardized it on 496 typical and 102 disturbed preschoolers. The resulting Preschool Behavior Questionnaire demonstrated criterion validity, strong inter‑rater and test‑retest reliabilities, identified three factors (Hostile‑Aggressive, Anxious‑Fearful, Hyperactive‑Distractible), and proved useful for early detection in clinical and research contexts.

Abstract

The increase in the number of children attending preschools or day care centers has provided an opportunity for early detection of emotional problems. However, few screening instruments have been standardized for children in this age group. A modification of Rutter's Children's Behaviour Questionnaire was standardized on a sample of 496 normal and 102 disturbed preschool children. The modified questionnaire (renamed the Preschool Behavior Questionnaire) was found to possess criterion validity and high interrater and test-retest reliabilities. Three factors were extracted and were labeled Hostile-Aggressive, Anxious-Fearful, and HyperactiveDistractible. The data indicated that the Preschool Behavior Questionnaire may be valuable in either clinical or research settings for the first step in early detection of emotional problems.