Emotional and behavioural problems in a sample of Finnish three-year-olds

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 27, 2026

Measurement of Fronto-limbic Activity Using an Emotional Oddball Task in Children with Familial High Risk for Schizophrenia
13:08

Measurement of Fronto-limbic Activity Using an Emotional Oddball Task in Children with Familial High Risk for Schizophrenia

Published on: December 2, 2015

A Sourander1

  • 1Department of Child Psychiatry, Turku University Hospital, Finland.

European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
|July 27, 2001
PubMed

Insights

This study examined behavioral and emotional problems in Finnish toddlers. Findings indicate similarities with international data, with boys showing more destructive behaviors and parental factors influencing problem levels.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Early childhood behavioral and emotional problems are significant public health concerns.
  • Understanding prevalence and associated factors in diverse populations is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and correlates of behavioral and emotional problems in Finnish three-year-olds.
  • To compare findings with international data on preschooler problem behaviors.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the Child Behavior Checklist for ages 2-3, a standardized rating scale.
  • Collected data from 374 participants (71% of target population) at well-baby clinics in two Finnish cities.

Main Results:

  • Prevalence and mean scores of problem behaviors were similar to international studies.
  • Boys exhibited higher destructive behavior scores than girls.
  • Parental education, single-parent family structure, and parental unemployment were linked to increased problem behaviors.
  • No significant differences in problems were associated with daycare, but co-sleeping correlated with sleep issues.

Conclusions:

  • Finnish toddlers' behavioral and emotional problem profiles align with international trends.
  • Socioeconomic factors and family structure significantly influence early childhood behavioral outcomes.
  • Targeted support for families facing socioeconomic challenges may be beneficial.

More Related Videos

Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood08:09

Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood

Published on: February 11, 2017

Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children07:01

Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children

Published on: March 1, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Anal01:26

Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Anal

Sigmund Freud's theory of psychosexual development describes the anal stage as occurring between 18 months and three years of age. During this period, children derive pleasure from controlling and releasing their bowel movements. However, they quickly learn that societal expectations impose restrictions on when and where this can happen. This stage marks a critical point where children begin to develop a sense of control and mastery over their bodily functions, as well as their broader...
Three Developmental Domains01:29

Three Developmental Domains

Human development is typically examined across three main domains: physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional. These domains represent the significant areas of change and continuity throughout the lifespan, from infancy to late adulthood.
Physical Development
Physical processes, also known as maturation, encompass the biological changes that occur across an individual's life. These changes begin with genetic inheritance and continue through various stages, including growth in height and weight,...
Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Oppositional Defiant Disorder01:30

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

A persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, defiant behavior, or vindictiveness characterizes Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Symptoms must occur over at least six months, involve interactions with individuals beyond siblings, and meet specific diagnostic criteria to be clinically significant. The disorder affects emotional regulation, social interactions, and behavior, often manifesting early in life and influencing long-term development and functioning.
Diagnostic Criteria and...
Conduct Disorder01:28

Conduct Disorder

Conduct disorder is a complex mental health diagnosis characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates societal norms, the rights of others, or age-appropriate rules. The diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder require the presence of at least three problematic behaviors within the past 12 months, with at least one occurring in the past six months. These behaviors are grouped into four categories: aggression toward people and animals; destruction of property;...
Relationship with Parents: Attachment01:28

Relationship with Parents: Attachment

Parent-child interactions lay the foundation for how we understand relationships throughout life. These interactions are not uniform across families; instead, they are shaped by a range of environmental, emotional, and behavioral factors unique to each caregiver-child dynamic. Social psychologists study these early relationships to understand how patterns formed in infancy influence social functioning and interpersonal behavior in adulthood.Attachment Theory and Early Relational ModelsJohn...