Estimates Of Preschool Behavioral Problems In Islamabad And Rawalpindi, Pakistan: Gender Differences And Role Of Family Correlates

Article Title: Estimates Of Preschool Behavioral Problems In Islamabad And Rawalpindi, Pakistan: Gender Differences And Role Of Family Correlates

Author(s): Ayesha Inam, Sahira Zaman

Institute(s); National Institute of Psychology, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad

Journal: Journal of Pakistan Psychiatric Society, 2014, Vol. 11, No. 1, p. 10-13

Correspondence Address:  inam.ayesha80@gmail.com

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The research aims to explore the estimates of preschool behavior problems in a community sample of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Design: Cross Sectional Study

Place & Duration Of The Study: The study was conducted in Islamabad and Rawalpindi cities in Pakistan. The study was completed in 3 months in 2011.

Methodology: The sample consisted of 101 preschool children (Mean age=4.169, SD=.101), (boys=49, girls=52) from four private sector schools. The participants were recruited using purposive sampling technique. Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), preschool version, was used to assess behavioural problems on six syndrome scales.

Results: Results revealed a relatively high percentage of borderline behavior problems (46.5%) in preschool children. Gender di_erences were signi_cant where boys showed higher mean scores (boys, 35.2; girls, 27.31) on overall problem score and externalizing subscale (boys 14.53; girls 9.44) than girls. Family monthly income and parents’ education were inversely related to levels of behavioral problems in children. One way analysis of variance revealed that mother’s higher education was signi_cantly related to low levels of behavioral problems in children.

Conclusion: The results reveal that nearly half of the sample was rated with borderline behavioral problems. More research is needed from a demographically representative sample.

Keywords: Behavioral problems, preschool children, Child Behavior Checklist

Leave a Reply