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Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood
Published on: February 11, 2017
Emotional difficulties in seventh grade children in Denmark
M L Reinholdt-Dunne1, B H Esbjørn, M Høyer
1Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Marie.reinholdt@psy.ku.dk
Scandinavian Journal of Psychology
|May 19, 2011
Summary
This study found 10.8% of children experience emotional difficulties, with girls reporting them more often. Emotional challenges in youth are linked to lower quality of life and socioeconomic factors.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychology
- Public Health
- Mental Well-being Research
Background:
- Investigates the prevalence of emotional difficulties and quality of life in adolescents.
- Utilizes data from a national mental well-being study in Denmark, ensuring a representative sample.
- Focuses on seventh-grade students aged 12-14 years.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of emotional difficulties among adolescents.
- To explore the relationship between emotional difficulties and quality of life in children.
- To identify factors associated with emotional difficulties in this age group.
Main Methods:
- Employs nationally representative data from 834 children across 56 seventh-grade classes.
- Utilizes the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey.
- Analyzes data to identify prevalence rates and associated factors.
Main Results:
- 10.8% of children reported emotional difficulties (6.6% definite, 4.2% some concern).
- Girls were significantly more likely than boys to report emotional difficulties (44 girls vs. 10 boys).
- Emotional difficulties correlated with lower perceived quality of life, low home economy, reduced leisure time, and female gender.
Conclusions:
- Emotional difficulties are a notable concern in early adolescence, affecting over 10% of the studied population.
- A significant association exists between emotional difficulties and a reduced perception of quality of life in children.
- Socioeconomic factors, leisure engagement, and gender are important considerations when addressing adolescent emotional well-being.
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