ABSTRACT
Young children frequently show behaviours th a t worry adu lts b u t only recently have researchers exam ined the clinical significance of these behaviours in children of less th an six years of age. The litera tu re does not offer a precise concept of b eh aviour problem s, confining it to operational definitions based on the in stru m en t u sed to m easure the construct. For A chenbach (1991), behaviour problem s in young children involve sym ptom p a tte rn s of in ternalisation and externalisation. Internalising problem s involve w ithdraw al, som atic com plaints, sadness, fear, depression and anxiety. Externalising problem s refer to aggressive behaviours, hyperactivity, disobedience, low im pulse control, displays of anger and delinquent behaviour.
