Rutter's Behaviour Scale (B2) for children (Teacher's Scale): validation and standardization for use on Nigerian children.

Abstract

Nigerian teachers were asked to place the children in their classes in either of two groups: Group I, comprising children of normal behaviour, and Group II, children who, in their opinion, had significant behavioural problems. Validity of the teachers' grouping was confirmed, using as reference measure the findings from traditional psychological assessment of the children. The teachers then completed the Rutter Child Behaviour Questionnaire (Teachers' Scale) for the same children. The children's scores on the Rutter Scale were matched against the teacher's grouping, the aim being to identify the Rutter Score that separates the children into two 'behaviour' groups that agree most closely with the teachers' own grouping. Results show that this was achieved at the Rutter Score of 10 (k = 0.66). Children scoring 10 or more on the Rutter scale appeared mostly in Group II, while those scoring less than 10 were mostly in Group I. Rutter's scale was also found to be a highly valid instrument for identifying Nigerian children with behavioural problems. It is recommended that Nigerian children scoring > or = 10 on Rutter's Behaviour Questionnaire (Teacher's Scale), should be regarded as children with behavioural disorder. This is one point higher than the score of > or = 9 recommended for British children.