Prediction of behavioral problems in chilean schoolchildren

Abstract

Five hundred and thirty five Chilean schoolchildren were evaluated with a test-retest procedure using teacher and parent questionnaires in first and sixth grade, respectively, and a measure of self- esteem in sixth grade. According to teachers' ratings, disobedience/aggression, shyness and hyperactivity persisted. Crosspredictions were found: disobedience/aggression increased the risk of cognitive/concentration problems, which predicted emotional immaturity, while hyperactivity predicted disobedience/aggression. Teacher's global opinion of poor achievement predicted cognitive/concentration problems, and poor conduct predicted hyperactivity. Behavioral problems rated by parents in first grade predicted their persistence. Detection of problems in first grade predicts sixth grade outcomes, providing information for implementing preventive interventions.