RESUMO
Behaviour problems in children are on the rise. Available literature speaks of variability and inadequacies of diagnostic methods, research criteria, treatment modalities and psychosocial interventions. Methods: 50 children of age 6-14 years attending government school were assessed for behaviour problems. Children were selected after appropriate randomization and subsequently assigned to Child behaviour checklist. The data thus collected was suitably interpreted using appropriate statistical tests. Results: Twenty-one (42%) children were found to be above the cut-off score. Mean CBCL score was 43.3. Most common behaviour problems in these subjects were “can not sit still, restless, hyperactive” shown by 62% of the subjects. Female children had behaviour problems like “too concerned with neatness or cleanliness”, “self conscious or easily embarrassed” and “feels she has to be perfect” where as male children had behaviour problems like. “does not feel guilty after misbehaving”, can not concentrate” and “restless”. Conclusion: The analysis of pattern of distribution of behaviour problems in the subjects revealed them to be more of externalizing ones. Female children had more of internalizing behaviour problems.