Persistence and change in behavioural problems during early childhood.

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Behavioral problems and psychopathology can emerge in the preschool years.
• Childhood behavioral difficulties may not be stable during this developmental period.
• Population-based studies are essential for understanding behavioral trajectories.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the persistence and change in clinically relevant behavioral problems in early childhood.
• To analyze behavioral stability in a New Zealand birth cohort.
• To identify factors associated with persistent behavioral difficulties.

Main Methods:

• Assessed behavior in 5896 children at ages 2 and 4.5 years using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).
• Examined correlations and mean differences in SDQ scores.
• Dichotomized scores to assess persistence and change in significant behavioral problems, using chi-square and ANOVA for variable associations.

Main Results:

• Moderate correlations were found between scores at ages 2 and 4.5 years, with a slight decrease in mean scores over time.
• While 57.9% of children with abnormal behavior at age 2 improved by 4.5 years, 42.1% showed persistent difficulties.
• Risk factors for persistent difficulties included unplanned pregnancy, urban deprivation, younger maternal age, Māori/Pacific ethnicity, and lower maternal education.

Conclusions:

• Early childhood behavioral difficulties do not always persist.
• Children with persistent difficulties are more likely to face vulnerability risk factors.
• Repeated screening for early childhood behavioral problems is recommended to identify and support at-risk children.