Author

T. Achenbach (Adaptation: A. Roussou).

Purpose

The purpose of the questionnaire is to assess the abilities, adaptive functioning, and behavioral problems of children in the age group 6 to 18 years.

Brief Description

The first of three questionnaires from the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) is used to collect information from parents, guardians, or individuals who live with the children in a family-like environment. This questionnaire is divided into two main parts:
• Part One involves questions that identify social adaptability, likely including questions on social behavior, social relationships, and other aspects related to the child’s social adaptability.
• Part Two consists of 113 questions aimed at detecting psychopathology. These questions are grouped into eight empirical syndromes, covering internalizing and externalizing problem groups. This structure allows for a thorough evaluation of the child’s psychological state and identification of any potential difficulties or problems they may be facing.

Sample

The sample included 1,200 children aged 6 to 18 years who attended 42 public and private elementary schools across the country. Additionally, the clinical sample represented the parents of 511 children.

Scoring Method

The evaluator assigns scores of 0, 1, or 2 to each problem, assessing the child’s behavior over the past six months. Each score corresponds to the degree of agreement with the problems:
• 0 = not applicable behavior,
• 1 = somewhat applicable or sometimes applies,
• 2 = very or frequently applicable behavior.
Total problem scores are derived by summing the evaluations based on these criteria.

Validity

The content is supported by validity based on four decades of research. Additionally, all data are significantly statistically different (p<0.01) between children from demographically balanced clinical and community samples. The criterion validity is supported by multiple regression analyses, relative risk ratios of complementary probabilities, and discriminant analysis. Furthermore, the construct validity is confirmed through statistically significant correlations with similar scales of other tools aligned with DSM criteria, cross-cultural reproductions of ASEBA syndromes, genetic and biochemical findings, as well as predictions of long-term outcomes.

Reliability

High reliability was observed between interviewers, as well as in repeated measurements. Internal consistency indices (Cronbach’s α) range from 0.63 to 0.79 for ability scales, from 0.78 to 0.97 for empirical problem scales, and from 0.72 to 0.91 for DSM-aligned scales.

Main Bibliographic Source

Achenbach, T. M. (2003). Manual for the ASEBA School-Age Questionnaires and Profiles. Athens: Greek Letters.