Child Behavior Checklist

The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) is a widely used method of identifying problem behavior in children. It is a component in the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment developed by Thomas M. Achenbach.

Problems are identified by a respondent who knows the child well, usually a parent or other care giver. Alternative measures are available for teachers (the Teacher's Report Form) and the child (the Youth Self Report). There are two versions of the checklist. The preschool checklist (CBCL/1½-5) is intended for use with children aged 18 months to 5 years. The school-age version (CBCL/6-18) is for children aged 6 to 18 years. It is an important measure for children's emotional, behavioural and social aspects of life. it is used as a diagnostic tool for a variety of behavioral and emotional problems such as attention deficit hyperactive disorder, oppositonal defiant disorder, conduct disorder, childhood depression, separation anxiety, childhood phobia, social phobia, specific phobia and a number of other childhood and adolescent issues.