Child and Adolescent Behavior

Inventory—Parent Version
The Child and Adolescent Behavior Inventory (CABI) measures different dimensions of
psychopathology in youth, as well as social and academic impairment. The CABI is divided
into 10 separate parts:

• Part 1: Sluggish Cognitive Tempo

• Part 2: Anxiety
• Part 3: Depression
• Part 4: ADHD Inattention
• Part 5: ADHD Hyperactivity-Impulsivity
• Part 6: ODD
• Part 7: Callous-Unemotional Traits
• Part 8: Social Impairment
• Part 9: Academic Impairment
• Part 10: Friendship Difficulties

The CABI was designed so that each domain can be used separately as necessary or
desired for any given study. For example, if one wished to use only Part 1, the sluggish
cognitive tempo subscale, then the SCT page can be copied and used in isolation apart
from the other CABI parts.

Please email G. Leonard Burns (glburns@wsu.edu) or Stephen P. Becker

(Stephen.Becker@cchmc.org) for questions about the use of the English version of the
scale.

Please email Mateu Servera (mservera@gmail.com) for questions about the use of the
Spanish version of the scale.

Please use the following citation to reference this scale:

Burns, G. L., Lee, S., Servera, M., McBurnett, K., & Becker, S. P. (2018). Child and Adolescent
Behavior Inventory—Parent Version 1.1. Pullman, WA: Author.

© 2018 G. Leonard Burns, SoYean Lee, Mateu Servera, Keith McBurnett, and Stephen P. Becker.
PART 1

Very
Almost Often Almost
Please circle the answer that indicates how often the Sometimes often
Never Seldom (about Always
(several (several
behavior has occurred in the last month at home and (Never or (about once
times per
once (many
per week) per times
in the community (Do not consider behavior at school). about once times
week) per
per month) day) per day)
day)

1 Behavior is slow (sluggish) 0 1 2 3 4 5

2 Lost in a fog 0 1 2 3 4 5

3 Stares blankly into space 0 1 2 3 4 5

4 Drowsy or sleepy (yawns) during the day 0 1 2 3 4 5

5 Daydreams 0 1 2 3 4 5

6 Loses train of thought 0 1 2 3 4 5

7 Low level of activity (underactive) 0 1 2 3 4 5

8 Gets lost in own thoughts 0 1 2 3 4 5

9 Easily tired or fatigued 0 1 2 3 4 5

10 Forgets what was going to say 0 1 2 3 4 5

11 Easily confused 0 1 2 3 4 5

12 Spaces or zones out 0 1 2 3 4 5

13 Gets mixed up 0 1 2 3 4 5

14 Thinking is slow 0 1 2 3 4 5

Difficulty expressing thoughts (e.g., gets “tongue-

15 0 1 2 3 4 5
tied”)

Does the presence of these 15 behaviors CURRENTLY cause academic difficulties for your son or daughter?

No Difficulty Slight Difficulty Moderate Difficulty Severe Difficulty

Does the presence of these 15 behaviors CURRENTLY cause social difficulties (e.g., difficulties in interactions with parents,
siblings, peers, other adults at community activities) for your son or daughter?

No Difficulty Slight Difficulty Moderate Difficulty Severe Difficulty

© 2018 G. Leonard Burns, SoYean Lee, Mateu Servera, Keith McBurnett, and Stephen P. Becker.
PART 2

Almost Often Very Almost

Seldom Sometimes
Please circle the answer that indicates how often the behavior Never (about (several
(about often Always
(Never or once (several (many
has occurred in the last month at home and in the community once per times per
per
about once week) week) times times per
(Do not consider behavior at school). per month) day) per day) day)

1 Seems anxious about separation from parents 0 1 2 3 4 5

Seems anxious about many things (e.g., worries about nearly

2
everything)
0 1 2 3 4 5

Seems anxious about specific objects or situations (e.g., dogs,

3
insects, storms getting shots, sight of blood, heights)
0 1 2 3 4 5

4 Seems anxious about contamination (e.g., anxious about germs) 0 1 2 3 4 5

5 Seems anxious about being in social situations 0 1 2 3 4 5

Reports having headaches, stomachaches, or feeling sick when

6
there is no obvious reason
0 1 2 3 4 5

Does the presence of these 6 behaviors CURRENTLY cause academic difficulties for your son or daughter?

No Difficulty Slight Difficulty Moderate Difficulty Severe Difficulty

Does the presence of these 6 behaviors CURRENTLY cause social difficulties (e.g., difficulties in interactions with parents,
siblings, peers, other adults at community activities) for your son or daughter?

No Difficulty Slight Difficulty Moderate Difficulty Severe Difficulty

© 2018 G. Leonard Burns, SoYean Lee, Mateu Servera, Keith McBurnett, and Stephen P. Becker.
PART 3
Almost Often Very Almost
Seldom Sometimes
Please circle the answer that indicates how often the behavior Never (about (several
(about often Always
(Never or once (several (many
has occurred in the last month at home and in the community once per times per
per
about once week) week) times times per
(Do not consider behavior at school). per month) day) per day) day)

1 Seems sad, unhappy, or depressed 0 1 2 3 4 5

2 Seems to feel worthless 0 1 2 3 4 5

3 Seems lonely 0 1 2 3 4 5

Seems not to enjoy activities that he or she previously thought

4 0 1 2 3 4 5
were fun

5 Seems to feel hopeless about things 0 1 2 3 4 5

Seems not to have enough energy to complete tasks or

6 participate in activities that he or she used to have the energy 0 1 2 3 4 5
to do

Does the presence of these 6 behaviors CURRENTLY cause academic difficulties for your son or daughter?

No difficulty Slight Difficulty Moderate Difficulty Severe Difficulty

Does the presence of these 6 behaviors CURRENTLY cause social difficulties (e.g., difficulties in interactions with parents,
siblings, peers, other adults at community activities) for your son or daughter?

No Difficulty Slight Difficulty Moderate Difficulty Severe Difficulty

© 2018 G. Leonard Burns, SoYean Lee, Mateu Servera, Keith McBurnett, and Stephen P. Becker.
PART 4: The occurrence of the following nine behaviors (items 1 to 9) is NOT due to oppositional
behavior, defiance, anger, hostility, or a failure to understand the task or the instructions.
Almost
Often Very Almost
Please circle the answer that indicates how often the Never Seldom Sometimes
(about (several
(about Often Always
(Never or
behavior has occurred in the last month at home and in the once per times per
once (several (many
about once per
community (Do not consider behavior at school). times per times per
per month) week) week)
day) day) day)

Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless

1
mistakes
0 1 2 3 4 5

2 Has difficulty keeping attention focused during tasks 0 1 2 3 4 5

3 Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly 0 1 2 3 4 5

Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish

4
tasks
0 1 2 3 4 5

5 Shows poor organizational skills 0 1 2 3 4 5

Avoids, dislikes or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require

6
sustained mental effort
0 1 2 3 4 5

7 Loses things 0 1 2 3 4 5

8 Easily distracted by irrelevant (minor or little) things 0 1 2 3 4 5

9 Forgetful in daily activities 0 1 2 3 4 5

Does the presence of these 9 behaviors CURRENTLY cause academic difficulties for your son or daughter?

No Difficulty Slight Difficulty Moderate Difficulty Severe Difficulty

Does the presence of these 9 behaviors CURRENTLY cause social difficulties (e.g., difficulties in interactions with parents,
siblings, peers, other adults at community activities) for your son or daughter?

No Difficulty Slight Difficulty Moderate Difficulty Severe Difficulty

© 2018 G. Leonard Burns, SoYean Lee, Mateu Servera, Keith McBurnett, and Stephen P. Becker.
PART 5: The occurrence of these nine behaviors (items 1 to 9) is NOT due to oppositional behavior,
defiance, anger, hostility or a failure to understand the task or the instructions.
Almost Often Very Almost
Please circle the answer that indicates how often the Seldom Sometimes
Never (about (several
(about Often Always
behavior has occurred in the last month at home and in the (Never or
once per times per
once (several (many
community (Do not consider behavior at school). about once per times per times per
week) week)
per month) day) day) day)

1 Fidgets with or taps hands or feet or squirms in seat 0 1 2 3 4 5

2 Leaves his or her seat when remaining seated is expected 0 1 2 3 4 5

Runs about or climbs on things when inappropriate

3
(adolescents may report excessive feelings of restlessness)
0 1 2 3 4 5

4 Too loud or noisy during activities 0 1 2 3 4 5

Acts as if “driven by motor” or seems “on the go” (e.g.,

5 unable to be still or seems uncomfortable/restless being still for 0 1 2 3 4 5
an extended time; difficult to keep up with)

6 Talks too much 0 1 2 3 4 5

7 Blurts out answers before questions are completed 0 1 2 3 4 5

8 Has difficulty waiting turn 0 1 2 3 4 5

9 Interrupts or intrudes on others 0 1 2 3 4 5

Does the presence of these 9 behaviors CURRENTLY cause academic difficulties for your son or daughter?
No Difficulty Slight Difficulty Moderate Difficulty Severe Difficulty

Does the presence of these 9 behaviors CURRENTLY cause social difficulties (e.g., difficulties in interactions with parents,
siblings, peers, other adults at community activities) for your son or daughter?

No Difficulty Slight Difficulty Moderate Difficulty Severe Difficulty

© 2018 G. Leonard Burns, SoYean Lee, Mateu Servera, Keith McBurnett, and Stephen P. Becker.
PART 6: BEHAVIOR TOWARD OTHERS IN THE HOME AND COMMUNITY (not at school)

Almost Seldom Often Very Almost

Please circle the answer that indicates how often the Sometimes
Never Occurs (several
(about Often Always
behavior has occurred in the last month at home and in the (Never or (about
times per
once (several (many
community (Do not consider behavior at school). about once once per per times per times per
week)
per month) week) day) day) day)

1 Argues with adults 0 1 2 3 4 5

2 Loses temper with others 0 1 2 3 4 5

3 Actively defies or refuses to obey adults’ requests or rules 0 1 2 3 4 5

4 Annoys others on purpose 0 1 2 3 4 5

5 Blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehavior 0 1 2 3 4 5

6 Becomes annoyed or irritated by the behavior of others 0 1 2 3 4 5

7 Appears angry or resentful toward others 0 1 2 3 4 5

Spiteful or vindictive toward others (e.g., says mean things
8 to hurt adults’ feelings or does mean things to get back at 0 1 2 3 4 5
adults)

9 Seems irritable/cranky for no apparent reason 0 1 2 3 4 5

Does the presence of these 9 behaviors CURRENTLY cause academic difficulties for your son or daughter?
No Difficulty Slight Difficulty Moderate Difficulty Severe Difficulty

Does the presence of these 9 behaviors CURRENTLY cause social difficulties (e.g., difficulties in interactions with parents,
siblings, peers, other adults at community activities) for your son or daughter?

No Difficulty Slight Difficulty Moderate Difficulty Severe Difficulty

© 2018 G. Leonard Burns, SoYean Lee, Mateu Servera, Keith McBurnett, and Stephen P. Becker.
PART 7

Please indicate the percentage of the time your son or Very Almost
Almost Seldom Often
daughter has shown the behavior in the past month at Sometimes often Always
Never (11 to
(21 to 49%
(50 to
(80 to (90 to
home and in the community (Do not consider behavior at (0 to 10% 20% of
of the time)
79% of
89% of 100% of
school). of the time) the time) the time)
the time) the time)

Feels guilty about misbehavior (e.g., feels bad or easily

1 admits when he or she has done something wrong; apologizes 0 1 2 3 4 5
to persons he or she hurts)

Shows concern for the feelings of others (e.g., shows

2 empathy when bad things happen to others; does things to 0 1 2 3 4 5
make others feel good; tries not to hurt others’ feelings)

Feels bad about poor or problematic performance on

3 homework or school tasks (e.g., works hard on everything he 0 1 2 3 4 5
or she does; cares about doing things well)

Shows feelings in a sincere or genuine manner (e.g.,

expresses his or her feelings openly to others; his or her
4
emotions are consistent with actions; emotional displays are
0 1 2 3 4 5
not used to manipulate others)

Does the ABSENCE of these 4 behaviors (i.e., the failure of the behaviors to occur) CURRENTLY cause academic difficulties
for your son or daughter?
No Difficulty Slight Difficulty Moderate Difficulty Severe Difficulty

Does the ABSENCE of these 4 behaviors (i.e., the failure of the behaviors to occur) CURRENTLY cause social difficulties (e.g.,
difficulties in interactions with parents, siblings, peers, other adults at community activities) for your son or daughter?

No Difficulty Slight Difficulty Moderate Difficulty Severe Difficulty

© 2018 G. Leonard Burns, SoYean Lee, Mateu Servera, Keith McBurnett, and Stephen P. Becker.
PART 8

Please circle the answer that best

Slightly Moderately
describes your son’s or daughter’s Severe Moderate Slight Average Excellent
Above Above
behavior in comparison to others the Difficulty Difficulty Difficulty Interactions Interactions
Average Average
same age

1 Interactions with Parents 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Interactions with Adults Other than

2 Parents (grandparents, babysitters, adult 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
family friends)
Interactions with Brothers and Sisters
(if you child does not have siblings then
3
please circle this answer:
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Does not apply)

4 Interactions with Peers 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Interactions in Activities in the

5 Community (e.g., sports, social activities, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
church)

Interactions when Visiting the Homes of

6
Peers
0 1 2 3 4 5 6

PART 9

Please circle the answer that best Average

Slightly Moderately
describes your son’s or daughter’s Severe Moderate Slight Performance Excellent
Above Above
behavior in comparison to others the Difficulty Difficulty Difficulty for Grade Performance
Average Average
Level
same age

1 Completion of Homework Assignments 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

2 Reading Skills 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

3 Arithmetic Skills 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

4 Writing Skills 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

5 Overall Academic Performance 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

© 2018 G. Leonard Burns, SoYean Lee, Mateu Servera, Keith McBurnett, and Stephen P. Becker.
PART 10

Please circle the answer that best

Very
describes your child in comparison to Not at All Seldom Sometimes Often
Often
others the same age

1 Left out of activities by peers 0 1 2 3 4

2 Teased by peers 0 1 2 3 4

3 Difficulty making friends 0 1 2 3 4

4 Difficulty keeping friends 0 1 2 3 4

© 2018 G. Leonard Burns, SoYean Lee, Mateu Servera, Keith McBurnett, and Stephen P. Becker.