Impact of Risk Factors on Indicators of Behavioral Problems according to Parents’ and Children’s Reports

Multiple informants in the evaluation process and the identification of the relationship between risk factors and children's behavioral problems could help mental health professionals planning necessary strategies for preventing and managing behavioral problems. This study examined the relationship between risk factors and behavioral problems in a group of 25Brazilian children and their parents. Parents evaluated their children's problems (CBCL), their own problems (ASR), and the Family Adversity Index. Children provided information about themselves through a semi-structured interview (SCICA). Elevated family adversity indexes correlated positively with high scores for Internalizing Problems (CBCL) and Total Self-Report Problems (SCICA). The marital discord factor was associated with the presence of externalizing, internalizing and total problems. These results reinforces the need of multiple informants, suggest that several factors are associated with the presence of childhood psychopathology, and that public policies are needed to reduce risk factors, in order to promote mental health in childhood.