The Relationship Between and Peer Relations in Preschool Children Parent-Rated Behavior Problems

Abstract

The relationship between parent-rated behavior problems based on the Preschool Behavior Questionnaire (PBQ) and the peer relations of nonhandicapped and mildly developmentally delayed preschool children was examined in this study. Measures of the peer-related social interactions of 3- and 4-year-old nonhandicapped children and a 4-year-old developmentally delayed group were obtained as children participated in a series of specially designed playgroups. Correlations with scores for the behavior problem dimensions obtained from the PBQ with social interaction and negative relationship peer interaction factors revealed significant relationships only for the nonhandicapped 4-year-old children. Children rated by their mothers as high on the Hostile-Aggressive, Anxiety-Fearful, and Total Behavior Disturbed dimensions were less socially interactive with peers and received higher negative relationship scores than children with lower ratings.