Children over two standard deviations below height expectations have been described by researchers as being behaviorally immature and shown to be emotionally inhibited. The present study seeks to extend these findings by systematically evaluating what role age, sex, and etiology factors may have in the behavioral adjustment of groups of children with constitutional delay (CD), growth hormone deficiency (GHD) or Turner's Syndrome (TS). Fifty-six children and adolescents ages 6 through 16 years whose height was a minimum of two standard deviations below expectations for age (secondary to either GHD, CD, or TS) were studied. Both parent and teacher ratings were employed to provide cross-situational measures of behavior. Of the groups studied, adolescent females were rated by teachers and parents as showing the greatest behavioral immaturity and emotional inhibition. Although teachers' ratings discriminated children's behavior by age and sex factors, parent ratings appeared to be more influenced by children's diagnoses. Significant school problems were noted on parent ratings for all groups of children except the younger CD group. (Author/MP)