Psychological problems of school-age German and Greek children: A cross-cultural study

This study investigated psychological problems of 466 Greek and 790 German non-referred, non-migrant children aged 6-11 years using the Child Behavior Checklist. Comparisons between the two countries on the total behaviour problem scores, the total number of positive codings, the externalizing and internalizing scales and the social competence scales revealed a number of cultural differences. Greek children displayed consistently higher problem scores and lower scores on social and activities competence scores than the German children with the one exception of school competence. These results are discussed in relation to different intercultural attitudes, meanings and expectations of parents on their children.