Behavioural problems in pre-school children: An epidemiologic study at Swedish day-care centres

Abstract

Behavioural symptoms in 350 children 2–6 years old, attending Swedish day-care centres were investigated with a Swedish translation of Richman's Pre-School Behaviour Checklist (PBCL). The checklist was completed by staff from 23 day-care centres in large and small cities and in rural areas. In all, 14% of the children had behavioural disturbances. Deviant behaviour was most prevalent among 3-year-olds (22%) and less pronounced among the oldest children. Twice as many boys (19%) as girls (9%) displayed disturbed behaviour. The factor “conduct/restlessness/aggression” was more frequent among boys and among younger children of both sexes. The factor “a social isolation/immaturity” was more common younger children of both sexes. The factor “social isolation/immaturity” was more common in the younger children, and no gender differences were found. The third factor, “emotional/miserable”, was equally common in both genders and at all ages. The most prevalent serious problem was difficulties in concentration, wh...