SUMMARYUsing data obtained during an epidemiological survey of 3‐year‐old children living in a London borough, a comparison was made of the prevalence of behavior problems in 58 children of West Indian parents with 705 children of British‐born parents. The children of West Indian families were living in poorer housing and had experienced more separations but did not show higher rates of behavior problems. There were few significant differences in the patterns of behavioral disturbance between the two groups, and none between West Indian boys and girls. The Validity of the findings and their relationship to the children's social circumstances are discussed.