Behaviour Problems and Social Support Which Children Perceived from the Different Sources

Abstract

This research is a descriptive research aimed to examine whether the social support perceived from the different sources is the significant predictor of behaviour problems in children. Participants of the research are composed of 360 students (174 females and 186 males) attending the 5th grades of elementary schools. In the study, Social Support Assessment Scale for Children and Adolescents, and Youth Self Report/YSR 11-18 were used. Data analysis of the study was carried out via descriptive statistics, Mann Whitney U Test and stepwise regression analysis. It was seen in this study that in children, the social support perceived from the family, peer and teachers significantly predicts the behaviour problems. While differentiation in accordance with gender is meaningful in the children’s behaviour problems, it was observed that perceived social support from the different sources of children did not significantly show difference in terms of gender. Consequently, it will be useful for the families and teachers as well as the children in the elementary school period to be made to acquire awareness as regards behaviour problems. Also, the prevention and intervention programs intended for different developmental periods to be developed, for the social support sources to be activated and for healthy coping strategies with behaviour problems to be developed.