As expected for a community sample, the average ratings of behavior by mothers and by teachers indicated an absence of difficult temperament and externalizing behavior overall. For example, CBCL and TRF scores were near the U.S. normative averages for these scales (as indicated by T-scores in the low 50s). Also as expected, boys were usually rated higher than girls. For example, for CBCL Inattention, M=.50, S.D.=.52, for boys and M=.36, S.D.=.48 for girls, p<.01. Numbers of children with inattention, impulsivity-hyperactivity, and oppositional-defiant symptoms based on parent and teacher report with the DBD were comparable to studies using similar methods (endorsements of rating scale items and not clinical interview): 11.7% (53/452) with 6+ inattention and/or 6+ impulsivity-hyperactivity symptoms, 4.4% (20/452) with 5+ symptoms of oppositionality (Wolraich et al., 1996). A minority (28.3% or 128/452) of the sample had some conduct problems based on mother’s report on the 6-item delinquency measure (e.g., repeatedly pushing/shoving, lying, or stealing).
