Purpose of the Questionnaire

The questionnaire aims to provide a clinical assessment of behavioral and emotional problems and is sensitive to changes in these Preschool Behavior Questionnaire [PBQ-36]

Description

The Preschool Behavior Questionnaire (PBQ-36) is a 36-item assessment and screening instrument designed to identify emotional and behavioral difficulties in preschool-aged children, particularly between 3 and 6 years of age. It can support early recognition of behavioral concerns and is sensitive to changes in children’s emotional and behavioral functioning.

Purpose and Structure

The PBQ was developed by Behar in 1977, based on the earlier behavioral questionnaire developed by Rutter. It assesses three major dimensions of preschool behavior: Hostile–Aggressive, Anxious–Fearful, and Hyperactive–Distractible behavior.

The instrument is particularly useful for the early detection of behavioral and emotional problems, providing structured information that can support psychological, educational, and developmental assessment.

Scoring and Data Analysis

The 36 items are rated on a 3-point Likert-type scale. The questionnaire addresses several aspects of children’s emotional, social, and behavioral functioning, including emotional reactivity, developmental characteristics, sociability, withdrawal, emotional sensitivity, and attachment-related behavior.

Higher scores generally indicate greater levels of difficulties within the assessed behavioral dimensions. Statistical analysis may include descriptive statistics, group comparisons, correlations, reliability analysis, and factor analysis, depending on the research objectives.

Validity and Reliability

Evidence reported in the available material indicates satisfactory construct validity for the three behavioral dimensions. Internal consistency and test–retest reliability are also described as satisfactory, with a reported Cronbach’s alpha of 0.88 for the overall scale.

References

Behar LB. The preschool behavior questionnaire. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. 1977;5(3):265–275.

Doni E, Giotsa A. Review of psychometric tools for detecting behavioral and emotional problems in preschool children. Scientific Yearbook of the Department of Early Childhood Education, University of Ioannina. 2019;12(1):164–204.

Tags: PBQ-36, Preschool Behavior Questionnaire, Preschool Children, Behavioral Problems, Emotional Difficulties, Aggression, Anxiety, Hyperactivity, Attention, Early Screening, Child Development, Psychometric Assessment