Profiles of Problem Behavior in Children With Varying Language Ability

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between language behavior in students with or at risk of emotional and behavioral disorders. School-age students in K-4 grades (N = 300, 76% male) were sampled across three school districts. Students were grouped based on oral language ability and measured on teacher-rated subscales of problem behavior and direct observation of classroom behavior. Profile analyses revealed that language ability was associated with direct observation measures of classroom behaviors. Lower language was associated with higher rates of aggression, and higher language was associated with higher rates of academic engagement. Incongruent results relative to teacher-rated and directly observed behavior, limitations, and implications for future research are discussed.