Competence and Behavioral Problems in 6- to 12-Year-Old Children in Flanders (Belgium) and Holland

Abstract

The Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach, 1991) was used to obtain data on 1,120 Flemish and 1,122 Dutch children, ages 6 to 12 years. These data were analyzed in a cross-national comparison. Several small differences between nationalities were found for competence: Dutch children scored significantly higher on the Activities scale, whereas Flemish children scored significantly higher on the School scale. There were considerable similarities between the two samples for problem behavior. No differences between Flemish and Dutch children were found on total problem scores. Cross-national differences on problem items were smaller and less numerous than differences for sex, age, or socioeconomic status. Although the Flemish and the Dutch societies have very strong affinities, some unusual differences in problem behavior and competence between children of the two societies are noted. This cross-national comparison contributed to the research on standardized assessment procedures of behavioral and emotional problems in children.