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Objective: To examine the prevalence of infant-toddler social-emotional and behavioral problems and associations with social-emotional competence, interference in family life, and parental worry.

Method: The sample consisted of 1-and 2-year-old children (mean [MN] age = 24.8 months) from the baseline survey of a representative sample of healthy births (N = 1,280). Parent questionnaires included the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/2-3), Parenting Stress Index Short Form (PSI/SF), and Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment social-emotional competence scales, as well as questions about parental worry and family activities.

Results: Approximately 80% of eligible subjects participated. The weighted prevalence of parent-reported subclinical/clinical CBCL/2-3 scores was 11.8% for 2-year-olds. Approximately 6% of parents of 1-and 2-year-olds reported clinical-level scores on the PSI Difficult Child (PSI/DC) scale, which was included as a proxy for behavior problems among 1-year-olds, for whom measures were limited. Sex differences were not observed. CBCL/2-3 and PSI/DC scores were uniquely associated with economic disadvantage (relative risk = 1.89 and 2.24, respectively). Approximately 32% of 2-year-olds with subclinical/clinical CBCL/2-3 scores had delayed social-emotional competence. Problems were also associated with parental worry about child behavior and interference in family activities.

Conclusions: A significant need for early identification of emotional/behavioral problems in very young children is highlighted by associations with delayed competence and disruptions in family life that may further contribute to risk for persistent problems.

Copyright 2001 (C) American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry