Literature relevant to the needs assessment of children 5 to 12 years of age is reviewed and variables demonstrated to be factors in healthy or deviant behavior are identified. Problems addressed in the review of literature range from school maladjustment through social deviancy to schizophrenia. Five categories of studies are considered: (1) studies of children from minority cultures, (2) studies of lower class children, (3) studies of delinquent behavior (with special emphasis on Maricopa County and the Phoenix South Catchment Area), (4) studies of children of the majority culture, and (5) general interest studies. Most of the information provided concerns the first two categories of studies. The concluding section of the document relates the reviewed material to the issues of community-wide needs assessment, preventive intervention, and therapy. (Author/RH)