Behavioral Problems of the Preschool and School Age Children: A Comparative Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Ain Shams University

Abstract

Introduction Preschool and school age children with behavioural problems that no its
solution are at risk for more serious behavioural problems in the future. The aim of the study was
to compare behavioural problems in preschool age children versus school age children. Subjects
and methods: A descriptive study was carried-out at outpatient clinics affiliated to the health
insurance and ministry of health hospitals at Assuit governorate. Sample: Convenient sample of
100 children in the age group of 3-12 years were involved from the previously mentioned setting
regardless their gender, rank, educational level and residence area. The study involved also the
children's accompanying mothers regardless their characteristics. Tools of data collection: A predesigned questionnaire sheet was used to assess characteristics of the studied children and their
mother's knowledge about behavioural problems, while psychometric assessment scale e.g
aggression, depression, anxiety, loneliness and self-esteem was performed to assess the
behavioural problems of preschool and school age children namely ( depression, anxiety,
loneliness, aggression and self-esteem). Results: - the most common behavioural problem
manifestations among preschool and school age children were stubbornness (72%) and lying
(70%) respectively. Total knowledge of mothers about behavioural problems of both preschool
and school age children was unsatisfactory. Conclusion: It can be concluded from the study
findings that depression, anxiety, self-esteem and loneliness were the common behavioural
problems of preschool age children, while aggression was the common behavioural problem in
school age children. Recommendations: Counselling services regarding prevention, detection
and management of behavioural problems in children should be available in health care settings
in addition to hotlines, brochures, booklets, and educational media programs containing simple
information about needs and problems of children.

Keywords

Egyptian Journal of Health Care
Volume 8, Issue 4
December 2017
Pages 1-13

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