The prevalence and correlates of behaviour problems in learning disabled children

A retrospective cross sectional study of the prevalence of emotional problems among 502 learning disabled children seen in a specialized learning centre was conducted. Learning disabled children, diagnosed by an experienced clinician, were tested for emotional disturbances using the Child Behavior Checklist. The prevalence of behaviour problems among these children was 43%. This was much higher than the ten percent expected when this measure is used in a general population. There was no greater frequency of behaviour problems in children referred by teachers than in those referred by parents. Results of logistic regression analyses reveal that children who were adolescents, from non intact families, or from lower social class backgrounds had an increased odds of having behaviour problems. The implications of these findings are examined, especially in light of possible methodological problems including selection bias, which may account for the association between emotional problems and learning disabilities found in other studies.