How do internalizing and externalizing behaviour problems differ in children?

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In the study of child behaviour disorders, psychologists often classify problems into two primary categories based on the Child Behavior Checklist:

Externalizing behaviour: These problems are characterized by outward-directed actions. They include aggressive behaviour and hyperactivity, often manifesting as disruptive conduct that impacts the child's environment.1
Internalizing behaviour: These problems are characterized by inward-directed emotional distress. They include conditions such as depression and anxiety, which are often less visible to observers than externalizing behaviours.1

While externalizing behaviours are frequently associated with disruptive disorders like conduct disorder or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, internalizing behaviours relate to emotional struggles. Both types of behaviour are evaluated within a developmental context, as the appropriateness of a child's actions depends heavily on their age, the intensity of the behaviour, and their overall environment.1