The relation of temperament and behavior disorders in a preschool clinical sample.

This study reports on the putative role of temperamental traits in the development of psychiatric disorders in preschool children. The study utilized the Behavior Screening Questionnaire and Dimensions of Temperament Survey on 55 clinically referred preschoolers (43 boys and 12 girls). The results indicated that children with a low score on the Behavior Screening Questionnaire (indicating low psychopathology) were found to have a significantly lower activity level and lower distractibility, but had a higher score on rhythmicity.