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A Typology of Parent Rated Child Behavior for a National U.S. Sample
Author(s) -
Kamphaus R. W.,
Petoskey Martha D.,
Cody A. Heather,
Rowe Ellen W.,
Huberty Carl J.,
Reynolds Cecil R.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of child psychology and psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.652
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1469-7610
pISSN - 0021-9630
DOI - 10.1111/1469-7610.00477
Subject(s) - typology , psychology , developmental psychology , sample (material) , clinical psychology , sociology , chemistry , chromatography , anthropology
The purpose of the current study was to build on the emerging effort to produce a meaningful typology of child behavior for school‐aged children. The Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC) Parent Rating Scales for Children (PRS‐C) norming data were collected for 2029 6‐ to 11‐year‐old children at 116 sites representing various regions of the United States. The PRS‐C has 130 items that are rated by the parent on a 4‐point scale of frequency, ranging from “never” to “almost always”. The Ward method of cluster analysis was used to identify the initial centroids or cluster seeds in this norming sample. An iterative clustering method, a K‐means procedure, was used to refine the Ward cluster solution. A nine‐cluster solution was selected based on both rational and empirical considerations. The resulting clusters were labeled adapted, physical complaints/worry, average, well‐adapted, minimal problems, attention problems, internalizing, general psychopathology‐severe, and disruptive behavior problems. The nine‐cluster solution is similar to those of Achenbach (1991), Thompson, Kronenberger, and Curry (1989), and other researchers. At the same time, some significant differences exist. The resulting typology points the way toward future cluster studies of child psychopathology and normal behavioral development by delineating additional research and theoretical directions.