The perceptions of 456 school personnel, 181 parents, and 38 mental hygienists toward the seriousness of children's behavior with regard to adult adjustment were measured with a modified version of the Wickman Behavior Rating Scale. Results indicated that mental hygienists and teachers differed greatly in their perceptions of the seriousness of certain behaviors in the adjustment process; mental hygienists, school psychologists, and counselors were more concerned with recessive behaviors than with aggressive or disorderly behaviors; both elementary secondary teachers considered aggressiveness, classroom disorderliness, and transgressions against authority more serious; there were great perceptual differences between school psychologists and parents or principals and between principals and parents at the elementary level and between counselors and parents or teachers and between parents and teachers or assistant principals at the secondary level. In addition, 22 research studies are reviewed; implications for inservice education are considered; and the behavior rating scale and supplementary questionnaire are provided. (LE)