All the child psychiatry programs in the United States were surveyed by a questionnaire. Basic demographic data and information concerning problem trainees were obtained for virtually all of the fellows during the academic year 1980-1981. Eight percent of the fellows were judged by their training directors to have significant emotional disturbance and another 7% were judged to have experienced "other" difficulties. Risk factors are identified and discussed. A concluding discussion focuses on identifying and coping with the problem trainee.