The aberrant behavior checklist: factor structure and the effect of subject variables in American and New Zealand facilities.

Abstract

The Aberrant Behavior Checklist was used to collect data from a large United States institution for comparison with ratings previously obtained in New Zealand. A total of 531 subjects within the American facility and 937 residents of New Zealand institutions were studied. The United States data were factor analyzed using the same procedures that were employed to develop the scale in New Zealand. In addition, subscales of the Checklist were analyzed as a function of sex, age, country, and level of mental retardation. Finally, the effects of various medical conditions were analyzed. The original factor structure of the Checklist was validated for the United States sample, with a mean coefficient of congruence of .93 averaged across the five factors. Sex failed to influence subscale scores, whereas age, country, and severity of retardation significantly affected ratings. Deafness was unrelated to Checklist scores whereas cerebral palsy, epilepsy, psychosis, and psychoactive drug treatment were related.