AbstractTo examine the mental health status of children whose parents were foreign‐born and to determine if these youngsters have a special need for mental health services, this study compared the incidence of behavioral disturbance in 2,991 children who were native‐born and white with 97 children of immigrant parents. General information and ratings on a behavior problem checklist were obtained from teachers. Based upon an analysis of variance procedure, the results revealed that subjects of Chinese, Japanese, or Southeast Asian descent exhibited significantly fewer disorders, such as conduct problems and inadequacy‐immaturity, than children of native‐born