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Pattern of preschool behavior problems in New Zealand, using the Behavior Check List
1Royal Children's Hospital Mental Health Service, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|April 1, 1996
Summary
Preschool behavior problems like dependency and temper tantrums are common, decreasing with age but worsening in relationships. Cultural differences in ratings were observed, highlighting the need for early intervention.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Preschool behavior problems require early identification for effective intervention.
- Understanding age-related and cultural variations in these behaviors is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify patterns of behavior problems in preschool children.
- To facilitate early recognition and intervention strategies.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 320 children aged 2.5-5 years across eight preschool centers.
- Parents completed the Behavior Check List (BCL) to screen for behavior problems.
Main Results:
- Commonly reported issues included dependency, temper tantrums, and management difficulties.
- Developmental problems decreased with age, while relationship and cognitive worries increased.
- Cross-cultural differences were noted, with lower ratings in New Zealand compared to the UK.
Conclusions:
- Findings aid clinicians in recognizing age- and culture-specific patterns of preschool behavior problems.
- Categorical presentation supports including these problems in a formal classification system.