Child Behavior Checklist

The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) is a widely used method for assessing emotional and behavioral problems in children. Developed by Thomas M. Achenbach, the CBCL is part of the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) and is used by clinicians and researchers to identify problem behaviors in children aged 1.5 to 18 years.

Overview

The CBCL is a standardized questionnaire completed by parents or caregivers, which evaluates a wide range of behavioral and emotional problems. It is designed to provide a comprehensive assessment of a child's functioning in various domains, including social, academic, and family settings.

Structure

The CBCL consists of two main parts:

• Competence Scale: This section assesses the child's participation in activities, social interactions, and school performance. It provides a measure of the child's adaptive functioning.

• Problem Scale: This section includes a list of 113 problem items, which parents rate based on their child's behavior over the past six months. The items are scored on a three-point scale: 0 (not true), 1 (somewhat or sometimes true), and 2 (very true or often true).

The Problem Scale is further divided into two broad-band scales:

• Internalizing Problems: This includes subscales such as anxious/depressed, withdrawn/depressed, and somatic complaints.

• Externalizing Problems: This includes subscales such as rule-breaking behavior and aggressive behavior.

Scoring and Interpretation

The CBCL provides T-scores for each scale, which are standardized scores that allow comparison to normative data. Scores are categorized as normal, borderline, or clinical, indicating the severity of the child's problems.

Applications

The CBCL is used in various settings, including clinical practice, research, and educational environments. It helps in diagnosing conditions such as ADHD, anxiety disorders, and depression. It is also used to monitor treatment progress and outcomes.

Limitations

While the CBCL is a valuable tool, it relies on parent or caregiver reports, which may be subject to bias. It is important to use the CBCL in conjunction with other assessment methods, such as clinical interviews and direct observation.

Also see

• Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment
• Behavioral assessment
• Psychological testing
• Developmental psychology