Child Behavior Checklist
Comprehensively assesses the emotional and behavioural difficulties of children aged 6-18 through parent observation.
In one minute
How it works in 3 steps
- The parent completes it: A broad set of items reflecting the child's behaviour is marked.
- A profile emerges: Internalising and externalising areas of difficulty are distinguished.
- A professional interprets it: The result is combined with a comprehensive assessment.
Who it informs
When professional support helps
What does the CBCL measure?
The CBCL assesses a broad range of the child's behaviour: internalising difficulties such as anxiety and low mood, and externalising difficulties such as rule-breaking and aggression. This holistic profile makes visible which areas the child needs more support in.
When the results are combined with a professional assessment, they form the basis of a support plan tailored to the child. A raised area means it is worth a professional assessment, not that a label applies.
How is it scored?
The items are scored on a rating scale and distributed across internalising and externalising areas and their subdimensions; raised areas call for a detailed assessment.
- Items
- 113
- Score range
- 0–226
- Administration
- Self / observer report
What do the score bands mean?
The ranges below are a general frame. No band makes a diagnosis on its own; a result only becomes meaningful when a clinical psychologist interprets it alongside your life story.
| Score | General interpretation |
|---|---|
| 0–59 | Normal range |
| 60–63 | Borderline |
| 64–226 | Clinical range |
Limitation: It is a screening tool based on parent observation; it never makes a diagnosis on its own. A comprehensive assessment requires multiple sources of information and a professional evaluation.
Psychometrics and source
The psychometric foundation of the ASEBA system is strong; high internal consistency and test-retest reliability (with α above .80 on most scales) are reported for its syndrome scales.
Original source: Achenbach, T.M. (1991).
How is this scale used at Mete Psikoloji?
At Mete Psikoloji, in child and adolescent assessment, this scale is used to structure the broad observations gathered from the family and to shape the plan for the process. It can be tracked in the client portal, whether sessions are online or in person.
Related reading
Did your result give you pause?
A scale is only a starting point. By planning an assessment session with our clinical psychologists, you can consider your result alongside the context of your life.