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Preschool behavior disorders: their prevalence in relation to determinants
C P Larson1, I B Pless, O Miettinen
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
The Journal of Pediatrics
|August 1, 1988
Summary
This study identified key risk factors for behavior disorders in preschoolers. Maternal ill health, lack of social support, child
Area of Science:
- Child psychology
- Developmental pediatrics
- Public health
Background:
- Behavioral disorders are a significant concern in early childhood.
- Understanding early risk factors is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of behavior disorders in a 3-year-old birth cohort.
- To identify age-specific determinants and risk factors for preschool psychopathology.
Main Methods:
- Prospective follow-up of a birth cohort (n=918).
- Telephone interviews and the Childhood Behavior Checklist (CBCL) for 2- to 3-year-olds.
- Logistic regression (LR) analysis to determine adjusted relative risks.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of one or more deviant behavior syndromes was 11.1%.
- Key risk factors included maternal ill health, lack of social support, child's chronic illness, and frequent emergency service use.
- LR models highlighted the roles of maternal, paternal, and child health.
Conclusions:
- Preschool psychopathology is associated with specific maternal and child health indicators.
- Parental and child health are critical factors in the development of behavioral disorders.
- Early identification of these risk factors can inform targeted support strategies.