Time‐trend changes and psychological risk factors for soiling: findings from the Finnish 16‐year time‐trend study

Abstract

To study changes and associated risk factors in 8-year-old children's soiling at three time points: 1989, 1999 and 2005. Three cross-sectional representative samples were compared. All children born in 1981 (1989 sample, n = 1038), 1991 (1999 sample, n = 1035) and 1997 (2005 sample, n = 1030) living in selected school districts in south-west Finland served as study samples. Parents were asked about the child's soiling at age eight. Information about parental education level, family structure and child psychopathology was obtained from parents, teachers and children. The prevalence of soiling among 8-year-old boys was very similar (1989/1999/2005: 4.9%/4.9%/4.5%) while among girls the prevalence increased (1.0%/2.9%/3.7%; p < 0.05) during the 16-year period. Living in a non-intact family and mother's lower education level were associated with soiling among boys, while a high level of conduct, emotional and self-reported depressive symptoms was associated with soiling among girls. Hyperactivity symptoms were associated with soiling among both boys and girls. The study shows an increase in prevalence of soiling among girls. Soiling among girls is associated with psychiatric problems.