Cross-Cultural Differences in Behavior Problems

Abstract

Cross-cultural comparisons of parent-reported behavior problems in toddlers revealed substantial effects of culture. Internalizing and total problems were highest in Collectivist and high Power Distance countries, such as China, Brazil, and Russia; and were low in the US and European nations. Externalizing problems were not clearly associated with cultural orientation, but were elevated in Latin American countries (Brazil, Chile, and Mexico) countries, and in Russia and Finland, with low externalizing reported in South Korea and the US.