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An objective evaluation of special class placement of elementary schoolboys with behavior problems

Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology volume 14, pages 251–262 (1986)Cite this article

Abstract

Behavioral checklists were employed to identify the type and degree of psychopathology observed in 90 boys who were referred for possible placement in classrooms for the socially and emotionally disturbed (SED). School behavior was assessed by teachers completing the Conners Teacher Rating Scale, while behavior at home was rated by parents with the Child Behavior Checklist. The checklist findings from both environments showed the boys to have high levels of psychological disturbance, especially for externalizing factors such as hyperactivity, aggression, and conduct disorder. This was especially true for those boys for whom SED placement was recommended. Further, the clinical usefulness of these checklists was investigated as an adjunctive method for the determination of the need for SED placement. By the use of discriminant function analysis, about three-fourths of the boys recommended for SED placement were accurately identified; correct classification was maximized when parent and teacher checklists were employed together.

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Affiliations

  1. College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, USA

    Richard E. Mattison, Frederick J. Humphrey II & Stephen N. Kales

  2. Capital Area Intermediate Unit, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

    David J. Wallace

Authors
  1. Richard E. Mattison
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  2. Frederick J. Humphrey II
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  3. Stephen N. Kales
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  4. David J. Wallace
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Mattison, R.E., Humphrey, F.J., Kales, S.N. et al. An objective evaluation of special class placement of elementary schoolboys with behavior problems. J Abnorm Child Psychol 14, 251–262 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00915444

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00915444

Keywords

  • Behavior Problem
  • Discriminant Function
  • Special Class
  • Child Behavior
  • Correct Classification