Overview of behavioral problems in children

[Little_Girl]

Many behaviors exhibited by children or adolescents concern parents or other adults. Behaviors or behavioral patterns become clinically significant if they are frequent or persistent and maladaptive (eg, interfere with emotional maturation or social and cognitive functioning). Severe behavioral problems may be classified as mental disorders (eg, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder). Prevalence rates vary according to how behavioral problems are defined and measured.