The Portland Problem Behavior Checklist: Sex and Age Differences in Teacher-Rated Behavior Problems

Abstract

Sex and age differences in teacher-rated behavior problems were examined. Teacher ratings on 306 randomly selected children from grades kindergarten through high school, using the Portland Problem Behavior Checklist, were factor-analyzed. Factors were developed and compared for each sex at grade levels kindergarten through sixth grade and seventh through twelfth grade. The younger boys exhibited four factors: (a) Conduct Problems, (b) Academic Problems, (c) Anxiety Problems, and (d) Peer Problems. Younger girls exhibited three factors: (a) Conduct Problems, (b) Peer Problems, and (c) Personal Problems. Older boys exhibited five factors: (a) Academic Problems, (b) Anxiety Problems, (c) Conduct Problems, (d) Peer Problems, and (e) Personal Problems. Finally, older girls exhibited four factors: (a) Academic Problems, (b) Personal Problems, (c) Conduct Problems, and (d) Anxiety Problems. These factors were used to compare sex and age differences of teacher-rated behavior problems. The findings were compared to the results of other studies using different rating scales.

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