MacArthur Health and Behavior Questionnaire, Parent Version (HBQ-P 1.

0): Item List*

1. MENTAL HEALTH SCALES
A. Internalizing Symptoms
B. Externalizing Symptoms
C. ADHD Symptoms
D. Functional Impairment-Self
E. Functional Impairment-Family
F. Mental Health Care Utilization
A. Internalizing Symptoms (29 items; includes subscales for Depression, Overanxious, and Separation
Anxiety)
Response options: 0 = Never or not true; 1 = Sometimes or somewhat true; 2 = Often or very true
i. Depression (7 items)
88. Sleeps more than most children during the day and/or night.
127. Feels worthless or inferior.
131. Unhappy, sad, or depressed.
133. Underactive, slow-moving, or lacks energy.
144. Cries a lot.
147. Seems lonely.
153. Doesn't smile or laugh much.
ii. Overanxious (12 items)
75. Worries about things in the future.
80. Has trouble sleeping.
82. Worries about past behavior.
93. Worries about doing better at things.
98. Poor appetite, not hungry.
102. Physical problems without known medical cause:
102a. Aches and pains.
102b. Headaches.
102c. Nausea, feels sick.
102d. Stomach aches or cramps.
109. Self-conscious or easily embarrassed.
116. Needs to be told over and over that things are OK.
122. Nervous, high strung, or tense.
iii. Separation Anxiety (10 items)
*

Scoring instructions available upon request.

MacArthur Health and Behavior Questionnaire, Parent Version (HBQ-P 1.0)

2 of 10

78. Worries that something bad will happen to people he/she is close to.
86. Worries about being separated from loved ones.
95. Avoids school to stay home.
105. Scared to go to sleep without parents being near.
111. Avoids being alone.
118. Has nightmares about being abandoned.
125. Complains of feeling sick before separating from those he/she is close to.
129. Overly upset when leaving someone he/she is close to.
136. Overly upset while away from someone he/she is close to.
140. Is afraid of being away from home.
B. Externalizing Symptoms (31 items; includes subscales for Oppositional Defiant, Conduct Problems, Overt
Hostility, and Relational Aggression)
Response options: 0 = Never or not true; 1 = Sometimes or somewhat true; 2 = Often or very true
i. Oppositional Defiant (9 items)
76. Has temper tantrums or hot temper.
84. Argues a lot with adults.
85. Argues a lot with peers.
94. Defiant, talks back to adults.
110. Blames others for his/her own mistakes.
117. Is easily annoyed by others.
123. Angry and resentful.
130. Gets back at people.
137. Swears or uses obscene language.
ii. Conduct Problems (12 items)
79. Steals; takes things that don't belong to him/her.
87. Lies or cheats.
96. Vandalizes.
101. Sets fires.
106. Cruel to animals.
112. Physically attacks people.
119. Threatens people.
126. Destroys his/her own things.
132. Destroys things belonging to his/her family or other children.
139. Disobedient at school.
145. Cruel, bullies, or mean to others.
152. Uses a weapon when fighting.
iii. Overt Hostility (4 items)

MacArthur Health and Behavior Questionnaire, Parent Version (HBQ-P 1.0)

3 of 10

92. Taunts and teases other children.

104. Does things that annoy others.
142. Kicks, bites, or hits other children.
150. Gets in many fights.
iv. Relational Aggression (6 items)
77. When mad at peer, keeps that peer from being in the play group.
90. Tries to get others to dislike a peer.
103. Tells others not to play with or be a peer's friend.
115. Tells a peer that he/she won't play with that peer or be that peer's friend unless that peer does
what he/she asks.
134. Verbally threatens to keep a peer out of the play group if the peer doesn't do what he/she
wants.
146. Tells a peer that they won't be invited to his/her birthday party unless that peer does what
he/she wants.
C. ADHD Symptoms (15 items; includes subscales for Inattention and Impulsivity)
Response options: 0 = Never or not true; 1 = Sometimes or somewhat true; 2 = Often or very true
i. Inattention (6 items)
91. Distractible, has trouble sticking to any activity.
114. Has difficulty following directions or instructions.
121. Cant concentrate, cant pay attention for long.
128. Jumps from one activity to another.
154. Does not seem to listen.
155. Loses things.
ii. Impulsivity (9 items)
74. Fidgets.
81. Cant stay seated when required to do so.
89. Impulsive or acts without thinking.
100. Has difficulty awaiting turn in games or groups.
108. Interrupts, blurts out answers to questions too soon.
135. Has difficulty playing quietly.
141. Talks excessively.
149. Interrupts or butts in on others.
156. Does dangerous things without thinking.

MacArthur Health and Behavior Questionnaire, Parent Version (HBQ-P 1.0)

4 of 10

D. Functional Impairment-Self (8 items)

Response options: 0 = None; 1 = A little; 2 = A lot
157. How much trouble has your child had getting along with his/her teacher(s) as a result of the behaviors
or behavior problems you identified in the previous section?
158. How much trouble has your child had getting along with you or your spouse/partner as a result
159. How much has your child been irritable or fighting with friends as a result
160. How much has your child withdrawn or isolated himself or herself as a result
161. How much has your child been doing less with other kids as a result
162. How much has your child missed school as a result
163. How much have your childs grades gone down as a result
164. How much has your child's life become less enjoyable as a result
E. Functional Impairment-Family (8 items)
Response options: 0 = Never; 1 = Sometimes; 2 = Often; 3 = Very often
165. How frequently has your child's behavior made it difficult for you or prevented you from taking him or
her out in public or to go shopping or visiting?
166. How frequently has your child's behavior made you decide not to leave him/her with a babysitter?
167. How frequently has your child's behavior prevented you from having friends, relatives, or neighbors
visit your home?
168. How frequently has your child's behavior caused you to be anxious or worried about his/her chance for
doing well in the future?
169. How frequently have you quarreled with your spouse/partner about your child's behavior?
170. How frequently has your child's behavior prevented his/her siblings from having friends, relatives,
or neighbors to your home?
171. How frequently have friends, relatives, or neighbors expressed concern to you about your child's
behavior?
172. During the past year, how frequently have you had to change or forego your vacations or other family
outings because your child's behavior was difficult to manage?
F. Mental Health Care Utilization (5 items)
Response options: 0 = No; 1 = Yes
18. Please circle whether or not your child receives each of the following services currently or within the
past year.
18d. Psychotropic Medication
18e. Therapy/Counseling
19. Has your child ever seen one of the following specialists?
19a. Neurologist
19b. Psychiatrist
19c. Psychologist

MacArthur Health and Behavior Questionnaire, Parent Version (HBQ-P 1.0)

5 of 10

2. PHYSICAL HEALTH SCALES

A. Global Physical Health
B. Chronic Medical Conditions
C. Physical Health Care Utilization
A. Global Physical Health (9 items)
1. In general, would you say your childs physical health is excellent [0], good [1], fair [2], or poor [3]?
2. In general, how much do you worry about your childs health?
Response options: 0 = None at all; 1 = A little; 2 = Somewhat; 3 = A great deal
3. In general, how much difficulty, pain or distress does your childs health cause him or her?
Response options: 0 = None at all; 1 = A little; 2 = Some; 3 = A great deal
4. To what extent does health limit your child in any way, keeping him or her from activities he or she
wants to do?
Response options: 0 = None at all; 1 = A little; 2 = Some; 3 = A great deal
5. How often in an average month does your child stay home or come home from school or childcare
because of illness?
Response options: 0 = Rarely or never (less than 1 day/month); 1 = A little of the time (1-2
days/month); 2 = Sometimes (3-5 days/month); 3 = Often (6 or more days/month)
6a. How many times has your child ever had an injury or accident requiring medical attention?
6b. How many times did serious injury ever keep your child from participating in normal daily activities,
either at home or at school?
7a. How many times has your child ever been admitted to a hospital overnight?
10. Has your child ever been unconscious due to any injury or illness?
B. Chronic Medical Conditions (24 items)
11. Has your child ever had a seizure or fit?
12. Other than epilepsy, has your child ever had a serious head injury or other neurological (brain)
condition?
14. Below is a list of chronic medical conditions. For each of the medical conditions, please make a check
in the appropriate column
Response options: 0 = Never; 1 = Ever but not past year; 2 = Within past year.
14a. Arthritis
14b. Asthma
14c. Other chronic or recurrent lung disease
14d. Birth defects, such as spina bifida or cleft lip
14e. Blood diseases, such as sickle cell anemia or hemophilia
14f. Bowel diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease or chronic constipation
14g. Congenital heart disease
14h. Cystic fibrosis

MacArthur Health and Behavior Questionnaire, Parent Version (HBQ-P 1.0)

6 of 10

14i. Diabetes
14j. HIV infection or AIDS
14k. Kidney disease
14l. Leukemia or cancer
14m. Nerve or muscle problems such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy
14n. Repeated, persistent ear infections
14o. Repeated, persistent urinary infections
14p. Repeated, persistent respiratory infections such as colds, bronchitis, or croup
14q. Bad allergies requiring frequent doctor visits and frequent medications.
15. Has your child ever had any other health problems than those already noted? (If yes:) Please describe
the health problem(s).
16. Please indicate below whether your child has had any disorders or problems with learning, hearing,
speech, vision. Place a check in the appropriate column. Has your child had any disorders or
problems with:
Response options: 0 = Never; 1 = Ever but not past year; 2 = Within past year.
16a. Learning
16b. Hearing
16c. Speech
16d. Vision
C. Physical Health Care Utilization (5 items)
8. How many times has your child been seen by his/her primary care provider for a sick visit within the past
year, not including any visits for routine checkups?
9a. How many times has your child been to the Emergency Room within the past year?
18. Please circle whether or not your child receives each of the following services currently or within the
past year.
Response options: 0 = No; 1 = Yes
18b. Speech/Language Therapy
18c. Physical/Occupational Therapy
20. Please think about the past year. Has your child taken any prescription or non-prescription medications
on a DAILY basis for more than a month at a time?
Response options: 0 = No; 1 = Yes

MacArthur Health and Behavior Questionnaire, Parent Version (HBQ-P 1.0)

3. SOCIAL FUNCTIONING SCALES

A. Peer Acceptance/Rejection
B. Bullied by Peers
C. Prosocial Behavior
D. Overt Hostility
E. Relational Aggression
F. Asocial with Peers
G. Social Inhibition
H. Adult-Led Recreational Activities
A. Peer Acceptance/Rejection (8 items)
Response options: 1 = Not at all like; 2 = Very little like; 3 = Somewhat like; 4 = Very much like
24. Has lots of friends at school.
25. Is often left out by other children. (reverse scored)
26. Other children refuse to let him/her play with them. (reverse scored)
28. Is not chosen as a playmate. (reverse scored)
30. Actively disliked by other children, who reject him/her from their play. (reverse scored)
31. Is liked by other children who seek him/her out for play.
32. Is avoided by other children. (reverse scored)
35. Is not much liked by other children. (reverse scored)
B. Bullied by Peers (3 items)
Response options: 1 = Not at all like; 2 = Very little like; 3 = Somewhat like; 4 = Very much like
29. Is picked on by other children.
33. Is teased and ridiculed by other children.
36. Is pushed or shoved around by other children.
C. Prosocial Behavior (20 items)
Response options: 0 = Rarely applies; 1 = Applies somewhat; 2 = Certainly applies
54. If there is a quarrel or dispute, he/she will try to stop it.
55. Offers to share materials or tools being used in a task.
56. Will invite bystanders to join in a game.
57. Will try to help someone who has been hurt.
58. Apologizes spontaneously after a misdemeanor.
59. Shares candies and extra food.
60. Is considerate of others feelings.
61. Stops talking quickly when asked to.
62. Spontaneously helps to pick up objects someone has dropped.
63. Takes the opportunity to praise the work of less able children.

7 of 10

MacArthur Health and Behavior Questionnaire, Parent Version (HBQ-P 1.0)

8 of 10

64. Shows sympathy to someone who has made a mistake.

65. Offers to help other children who are having difficulty with a task.
66. Helps other children who are feeling sick.
67. Can work easily in a small peer group.
68. Comforts a child who is crying or upset.
69. Is efficient in carrying out regular tasks, such as helping with household chores.
70. Settles down to work quickly.
71. Will clap or smile if someone else does something well.
72. Volunteers to help clean up a mess someone else has made.
73. Tries to be fair in games.
D. Overt Hostility (see 1.B.iii above)*
E. Relational Aggression (see 1.B.iv above)*
F. Asocial with Peers (6 items)
Response options: 0 = Never or not true; 1 = Sometimes or somewhat true; 2 = Often or very true
83. Is a solitary child.
99. Prefers to play alone.
107. Likes to be alone.
124. Avoids peers.
138. Keeps peers at a distance.
151. Withdraws from peer activities.
G. Social Inhibition (3 items)
Response options: 0 = Never or not true; 1 = Sometimes or somewhat true; 2 = Often or very true
113. Shy with other children.
120. Shy with unfamiliar adults.
143. Is afraid of strangers.
H. Adult-Led Recreational Activities
21. Outside of physical education classes in school, did your child take part in any regular sport activity
during the current or most recent school year that involved adult coaching or instruction? (If yes:) How
many sports did he or she take part in? During the current or most recent school year, how many times a
week did he or she participate in any of these sports?
Response options: 0 = Less than once a week; 1 = 1-3 times a week; 2 = 4 or more times a week
22. Outside of regular classes in school, did your child take any lessons or instruction during the current or
most recent school year in music, dance, art or other non-sport activities? (If yes:) In how many such
activities did he or she take lessons or instructions? During the current or most recent school year, how
many times a week did your child participate in any of these music, dance, art, or other non-sport activities?
Response options: 0 = Less than once a week; 1 = 1-3 times a week; 2 = 4 or more times a week
*

If excluded from the Mental Health Externalizing Symptoms scale, the Overt Hostility and Relational Aggression
subscales can be used in the Social Functioning domain.

MacArthur Health and Behavior Questionnaire, Parent Version (HBQ-P 1.0)

9 of 10

23. During the current or most recent school year, did your child belong to any clubs or groups with adult
leadership, such as Scouts, Brownies, or any religious or community programs? Please do not include any
groups or activities already answered in Questions 21 and 22. (If yes:) To how many such clubs or groups
did he or she belong? During the current or most recent school year, how many times a week did your child
attend meetings of these clubs or groups?
Response options: 0 = Less than once a week; 1 = 1-3 times a week; 2 = 4 or more times a week

MacArthur Health and Behavior Questionnaire, Parent Version (HBQ-P 1.0)

10 of 10

4. SCHOOL FUNCTIONING SCALES

A. School Engagement
B. Academic Competence
A. School Engagement (8 items)
Response options: 1 = Not at all; 2 = A little; 3 = Somewhat; 4 = Quite a bit
Currently (or during the most recent school year), to what extent does your child seem
38a. Excited about school
39. Upset about school (reverse scored)
40. Distressed about school (reverse scored)
41. Eager about school
42. Frustrated about school (reverse scored)
43. Happy about school
44. Irritable about school (reverse scored)
45. Interested in school
B. Academic Competence (8 items)
46. How good is your child in math?
Response options (range=1-7): 1 = Not good at all, 7 = Very good
47. How good is your child in reading?
Response options (range=1-7): 1 = Not good at all, 7 = Very good
48. In comparison to other children, how difficult is it for your child to do math? (reverse scored)
Response options (range=1-7): 1 = Not at all difficult, 7 = Very difficult
49. In comparison to other children, how difficult is it for your child to read? (reverse scored)
Response options (range=1-7): 1 = Not at all difficult, 7 = Very difficult
50. Compared to other children, how much innate ability or talent does your child have in math?
Response options (range=1-7): 1 = Much less than other children, 7 = Much more than other
children
51. Compared to other children, how much innate ability or talent does your child have in reading?
Response options (range=1-7): 1 = Much less than other children, 7 = Much more than other
children
52. In comparison to other children, how would you evaluate your child's performance in math?
Response options (range=1-7): 1 = Much worse than other children, 7 = Much better than other
children
53. In comparison to other children, how would you evaluate your child's performance in reading?
Response options (range=1-7): 1 = Much worse than other children, 7 = Much better than other
children