Behavior Problems of Mentally Retarded and Nonretarded Adolescent Pupils

ABSTRACT: Educable mentally retarded adolescent boys and girls and nonretarded age peers were contrasted on the Behavior Problem Checklist, as completed by each young person’s school teacher. Four subscale scores (Quay-Peterson factors of psychopathology) and a “total problems” score were calculated from-the data and analyzed. Compared to the nonretarded students, mentally retarded students showed more Conduct Disorder (aggression and disruption) and Personality Problem (anxiety and withdrawal) kinds of maladjustment. Results were discussed in light of prior findings and needed research directions.