[Prevalence of mental disorders in the schoolchild population of Santiago de Chile].

A prevalence of approximately 15% of behavioral and emotional problems in children was discovered in a representative sample of Santiago, Chile, primary school population (N = 517). Population's data: boys and girls from three different socio-economic levels, ages 6 to 11. T. Achenbach's Child Behavior Checklist -which was previously standardized in Chile- was the selected instrument. The results show the percentage of children with either high total scores -thus indicating a grossly deviated behavioral profile- or high partial scores in the 9 behavioral categories proposed for both boys and girls. Sex related differences are reported as well as a negative correlation between SES and a percentage of children with deviated profiles. The likeness of an underevaluation of the current prevalence is discussed as well as the impact the child pathology is bound to have on both family mental health and the 'future' adult person.