Adolescents psychopatology in Lima following the Achenbach lnventory of Behavioral Problems

Abstract

The Achenbach Inventory of Behavioral Problems (test/retest reliability = 92) was administered to 908 adolescents in Lima, aged from 11 to 18 years, 621 coming from the control group (normal) and 287 from the experimental group (clinical group with divorced parents). Results showed that the experimental group exhibited significantly higher scores (T ? 70) than the control group (T < 60), the former reaching pathology level indicators. Moreover, a non-significant tendency to obtain higher T scores is more observed in females than in males. From the study results we can state that the Achenbach Inventory is a valid instrument for a screening process of children exhibiting behavioral problems that require psychological or psychiactric intervention in Peru.