Abstract
BackgroundBehavioural problems and psychopathology can present from as early as the preschool period. However there is evidence that behavioural difficulties may not be stable over this period. Therefore, the current study was interested in evaluating the persistence and change in clinically relevant behavioural problems during early childhood in a population-based New Zealand birth cohort.MethodsBehaviour was assessed in 5896 children when they were aged 2 and 4.5 years using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Correlations and mean differences in subscale and total difficulties scores were examined. Scores were then dichotomised into normal/borderline and abnormal ranges to evaluate the persistence and change in significant behavioural problems. Chi-square analyses and ANOVAs were used to determine the association between sociodemographic and birth variables, and preschool behavioural stability.ResultsRaw scores at ages 2 and 4.5 years were moderately correlated, with most measures showing a small but significant decrease in mean scores over time. The majority of children who showed abnormal behaviour at 2 years improved at 4.5 years (57.9% for total difficulties). However, a notable proportion persisted in their difficulties from 2 to 4.5 years (42.1% for total difficulties). There was a small percentage of children who were categorised as abnormal only at 4.5 years. Children with difficulties at one or both time points had a greater proportion who were the result of an unplanned pregnancy, lived in highly deprived urban areas, and had mothers who were younger, of Māori and Pacific ethnicity and were less educated.ConclusionsNot all children who show early behavioural difficulties persist in these difficulties. Those whose difficulties persist were more likely to experience risk factors for vulnerability relative to children with no difficulties. Results suggest that repeated screening for early childhood behavioural difficulties is important.
Highlights
Behavioural problems and psychopathology can present from as early as the preschool period
Using data from the Growing Up in New Zealand cohort, the current study firstly aimed to evaluate whether measures of behaviour at two different time points in preschool are closely correlated, and whether there are any developmental changes in behavioural scores as children move from the early preschool period (2 years) to the late preschool period (4.5 years)
Correlation and differences in Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) scores from 2 to 4.5 years The correlation between SDQ measures at 2 and 4.5 years are presented in Table 1, as well as the t-value and effect size from the paired t-test comparing the mean scores at the two time points
Summary
Behavioural problems and psychopathology can present from as early as the preschool period. Children who show behavioural problems during childhood are at an increased risk of ongoing mental health difficulties [4,5,6,7,8], a greater physical health burden [8], relationship and parenting problems [4, 9], poor academic outcomes [10], criminal behaviour [4, 11], substance abuse [4, 12], as well as teen pregnancy and sexual risk-taking [4, 13] These studies typically focus their initial assessments on children around school age or older. It has recently been demonstrated that difficulties that persist throughout childhood can be measured in children from as early as their second year of life [14, 15]
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