Behavioral Problems Research Articles

The OHC penalty in the UK: maternal experience and child development

We examine the extent to which experience of out-of-home residential care (OHC) during childhood (ages 0–16) relates to development in the ‘next generation’. Specifically, we ask whether maternal experience of OHC during her own childhood is associated with the behavioural, emotional and cognitive development of her child (age 3), drawing on data collected for the UK Millennium Cohort Study. Comparing the children of OHC experienced mothers with those whose mothers had not spent time in care, we observe stark raw differences between their early development, with children of OHC mothers performing worse across all domains examined – cognitive (language and school readiness), behavioural and emotional adjustment. Using regression analyses, we show that while the disadvantages in cognitive (language) and emotional adjustment among children of OHC experienced mothers are explained by differences in the child’s family demographic characteristics and socio-economic status (SES), the associations between maternal OHC experience and behavioural problems and school readiness remain. Behavioural differences are mediated by aspects of parenting behaviours and the parent–child relationship; school readiness differences are only fully attenuated once maternal health and wellbeing measures are further accounted for. This article highlights the importance of extending support for those with OHC experience into adult life, particularly for those who become parents, and for particular attention to be given to initiatives that nurture parent–child relationships to help break the intergenerational transmission of disadvantage.

Coparenting perceptions of (Grand)parents and associations with demographic characteristics and early adolescent problem behavior in China

Prior studies on coparenting have primarily focused on mothers and fathers, neglecting coparenting dynamics in multi-generational families. This study aimed to investigate coparenting perceptions among mothers, fathers and grandparents, and explore the associations between the coparenting relationship and adolescent problem behavior, as well as demographic characteristics. The sample included 1163 families with children aged 10–13 years. Mothers ( n = 997) and fathers ( n = 863) provided ratings of their coparenting relationship toward their partners and one grandparent, while grandparents ( n = 249) reported on the coparenting relationship with mothers. Results showed that compared to mothers, fathers reported more undermining of their own parenting by their partner. They were more supportive of their partner’s parenting and more positive about the division of labor. Fathers rated the overall coparenting relationship more positively than mothers, as indicated by the General Coparenting Scale. Notably, grandparents reported significantly more positive coparenting relations with mothers than mothers’ reports of coparenting with grandparents, expressing affirmation of parental competency and alignment with parenting practices. More positive coparenting was associated with less problem behaviors, which was true for coparenting across parents and grandparents. Furthermore, older adolescent age and higher socioeconomic status were significantly correlated with increased coparenting agreement and closeness. Maternal and paternal grandmothers did not differ in their ratings of the coparenting relationship with the child’s mother. These findings underscore the significance of recognizing differential perceptions among family members regarding coparenting behaviors, providing valuable insights for tailoring specific recommendations to enhance coparenting quality within diverse families.

Measuring eating behavior and motivations in the United Arab Emirates and the United States: Evaluating measurement and predictive invariance of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire-Short Form and the Eating Motivation Survey.

Considerable proportions of college students in White, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic countries, such as the United States, suffer from eating disorders and other problematic eating behaviors. The prevalence of eating disorders in Western Asia has been historically low but is rapidly increasing. One of the most dramatic increases is occurring in the United Arab Emirates. Advancements in eating disorder research and intervention that would benefit college students in the United Arab Emirates are inhibited by the lack of psychometrically sound measures of eating behaviors and motivations that have been empirically demonstrated to perform well in this population. The present study took initial steps in filling this need by evaluating the measurement and predictive invariance of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire-Short Form and The Eating Motivation Survey using college student samples from the United Arab Emirates (n = 366) and United States (n = 317), followed by a series of cross-country comparisons. Results offer important evidence supporting the measurement invariance of both instruments and the predictive invariance of the The Eating Motivation Survey when used to predict scores on the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire-Short Form. Although no significant cross-country differences in eating disorder features and behaviors were found, some cross-country differences in eating motivations were observed. Similar eating motivations emerged in both countries as possible protective and risk factors for eating disorders. The implications of these findings for eating disorder assessment and practice are discussed, along with their implications for theory and research on eating motivations, nutritional health, and people's relationships with food. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The Role and Function of Single Parents in Special Needs Children to Combat Loneliness

Introduction: Caring for children with special needs often poses various challenges, including coping with stress in parenting. Single parents have an even increased vulnerability to stressful conditions in parenting, especially from feelings of loneliness and alienation. This literature review aims to obtain an effective intervention model for overcoming loneliness for single parents with special needs children. Methods: Various studies were searched with the keywords “role of a single parent,” “function of a single parent,” “children with special needs,” and “loneliness.” Selected studies are evaluated and critically reviewed. Results: Various challenges of parenting children with special needs include stigma, efforts to overcome communication and behavior problems of children, adjustments to parenting according to special needs conditions, economic burdens, and intrapersonal problems of single parents. These challenges can be significant stressors that further degrade the quality of life of single parents and their children. However, they can be opportunities for personality development and parenting skills through self-care efforts and seeking psychiatric help, including efforts to find a community that understands the experience of being a single parent. Conclusions: Efforts to help single parents cope with loneliness include improving self-efficacy, emotional stability, positive parenting, and social intelligence by being part of a supportive community. Keywords: Single Parent, Children, Special Needs, Loneliness, Psychological Wellbeing

Emotional reactivity mediates and moderates the longitudinal associations between mothers' depressive symptoms and behavioral problems in youth

AbstractDespite the well‐established link between mothers' depressive symptoms and youth behavioral problems, it remains unclear whether the mechanism by which mothers' depressive symptoms promote behavioral problems may also be related to individual differences in this relation. Following the three‐variable system integrating mediation and moderation, this study used an integrative model to simultaneously examine the mediating and moderating role of emotional reactivity in the longitudinal associations between maternal depressive symptoms and internalizing and externalizing problems in youth. Participants were 1060 youth and their mothers from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (49.7% boys, 81.6% white). Mothers reported their own depressive symptoms at nine waves from infancy through the fifth grade. They also rated adolescents' emotional reactivity in the fifth grade and behavioral problems in the fifth and sixth grades. The results showed that emotional reactivity mediated the longitudinal relations between maternal depressive symptoms and internalizing and externalizing problems in youth. The results also supported the moderation of emotional reactivity. That is, mothers' depressive symptoms were associated with high levels of internalizing and externalizing problems, particularly among youth who were high in emotional reactivity. The findings highlight the dual role of emotional reactivity to better understand the associations between mothers' depressive symptoms and offspring behavioral problems, and emphasize the need to target emotional reactivity to alleviate the adverse impacts of maternal depressive symptoms on behavioral adjustment in early adolescence.

Multiple developmental disabilities among American children: prevalence and secular trends 2016–2022

ObjectivesWe aimed to estimate the prevalence of multiple developmental disabilities, identify associated characteristics, and examine trends among American children from 2016 to 2022. Study designThis was a cross-sectional study. MethodsUsing the National Survey of Children's Health data from 2016 to 2022, we estimated the prevalence of multiple developmental disabilities among children aged 3–17 years. Multiple developmental disabilities were defined as two or more concurrent disabilities from 12 common disabilities. Trends were investigated using log-linear regression. Multivariate log-binominal regression was used to compare the prevalence prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (2016–2019) with prevalence during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022). ResultsFrom 239,534 eligible children (mean age = 10.1 years; male = 51.7%), we found the overall prevalence of multiple developmental disabilities was 10.6%. The most predominant phenotype was attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder concurrent with behavioural problems (2.1%). Higher prevalence was found among boys, non-Hispanic black children, those from low-household-income families and from families with lower education levels. Prevalence of multiple developmental disabilities increased from 9.8% in 2016 to 11.5% in 2022 (P = 0.014) with significantly higher prevalence during COVID-19 pandemic than before (11.2% vs 10.1%). These increases were found consistently across most sociodemographic groups. ConclusionsChildren from certain socio-disadvantaged groups were disproportionally affected by multiple developmental disabilities, highlighting the need for targeted strategies to improve health. The increasing prevalence during the pandemic suggests the need for ongoing monitoring of the trend and the impact of these conditions.

Addressing student behavior to meet everyone’s needs

Problem behavior disrupts classrooms across the United States, impacting student learning. Despite the adverse consequences, teachers often exclude disruptive students from school as a punitive and default response to problem behavior. Alternatives to exclusion are becoming increasingly popular in many school districts to improve behavior and keep students in the classroom. But these alternatives tend to group students without identifying and addressing their individualized needs. Nasaskyia R. Hicks reviews the existing literature on punitive school discipline, considers the benefits of alternative discipline, and strengthens the underexplored gaps in research by conceptualizing an approach teachers can use.

Protective factors for externalising behaviour problems in children and adolescents living in out-of-home care: A systematic review

Children and young people in out-of-home care (OOHC) often display disproportionate levels of externalising behaviour problems compared to the general population, which are further linked with detrimental outcomes. Yet, despite similar levels of vulnerability, not all young people in OOHC develop these behaviours. The aim of this systematic review was to identify and synthesise knowledge on protective factors for externalising behaviour problems in young people between 0 and 19 years old residing in OOHC. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL, and the Proquest Social Abstracts and Social Services databases, with 31 studies meeting inclusion criteria (n = 8310 individual participants across the studies). Results indicated that protective factors associated with fewer and/or lower levels of externalising behaviour problems included: individual (e.g., better self-concept), relationship (e.g., quality relationships with family members and peers), and contextual (e.g., higher neighbourhood income) factors. Given the short and long-term consequences associated with externalising behaviours, professionals working with young people in OOHC should focus on identifying protective factors that can be targeted in prevention and intervention efforts. This review indicated that strengthening individual, relational, and contextual factors may be most beneficial for reducing risk of externalising behaviours.

디지털 대전환 시대 하이터치 교육으로서 미술과 사회정서학습 (A-SEL) 제안

In the era of grand digital transformation, where changes werer accelerating based on data-driven technological innovation, education played an important role as a core driving force that leads change and creates value. The 2022 rev. Korean National Curriculum(MoE, 2022b) emphasized digital literacy and AI·SW education as innovations in school education, while also emphasizing customized education that supports learning suited to each student’s characteristics and career. The emphasis on basic digital literacy was clearly an important measure for fostering future society talent, but if the corresponding social and emotional support was lacking, it may be difficult to achieve the essential goal of education, so it can be seen that HTHT education that emphasized interaction with technological development was considered. CASEL’s SEL, which emerged as an educational alternative to problem behaviors in the midst of a social crisis, was being applied in various ways for the purpose of pursuing holistic development. Thus, this study proposed ‘A-SEL’ applicable to art departments as customized high-touch education in the era of digital transformation, and aims to assess its potential as customized education that supports students’ socio-emotional well-being, including their character.

Effects of postpartum PTSD on maternal mental health and child socioemotional development - a two-year follow-up study

BackgroundPostpartum posttraumatic stress disorder (PP-PTSD) is a prevalent, yet often unrecognized mental health problem, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Moreover, the long-term effects of PP-PTSD symptoms on maternal well-being and child socioemotional development beyond the first year postpartum remain largely unknown. This study focused on the association between PP-PTSD symptoms within one year after childbirth and maternal depressive symptoms and child behavioral problems two years later.MethodsRussian women (n = 419) completed the City Birth Trauma Scale and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale evaluating symptoms of PP-PTSD and postpartum depression (PPD) via a web-based survey. Mothers also filled in the Beck Depression Inventory that assessed their depressive symptoms and the Child Behavior Checklist that assessed child’s behavioral problems 2.24 years later.ResultsThe regression analysis showed a significant association between PP-PTSD and elevated depressive symptoms 2 years later even after adjustment for PPD (β = 0.19, 95% Confidence Interval 0.11, 0.26, p < 0.01). Children of mothers with higher PP-PTSD symptoms had higher internalizing, externalizing, and total behavioral problems, independent of PPD and concurrent depressive symptoms (β > 0.12, p < 0.01 for all).ConclusionsChildbirth-related PTSD presents risk for maternal psychological well-being and child socioemotional development beyond comorbidity with maternal depression. Raising awareness about PP-PTSD among families, communities, healthcare providers, and policymakers is essential in order to decrease stigma of childbirth-related distress, particularly, in low- and middle-income countries like Russia, improve support system during the postpartum period, promote mother–infant bonding in affected women, and, thus, prevent long-term consequences of traumatic childbirth for maternal and child mental health outcomes.Clinical trial numberNot applicable.

Comprehensive Mini Review Of Pediatric Sleep Disorders: Types, Impact On Health, And Current Management Strategies

Abstract Aim: This mini review explores the health implications of sleep disorders in children and examines current treatment approaches. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive analysis of recent literature from PubMed and Google Scholar, focusing on studies published between 2019 and 2024, was conducted to assess the types of sleep disorders in children, their impact on health, and effective management strategies. Results: The review details the significant impact of sleep disorders on children's physical, mental, and emotional health, highlighting issues such as impaired glucose control, inflammation, obesity, behavioral problems, and emotional dysregulation. Effective treatment methods and management strategies include sleep hygiene, behavioral therapies, and innovative interventions like bright light therapy combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy. Conclusion: Early detection and comprehensive management of sleep disorders in children are crucial to improving overall child health and well-being. Keywords: Sleep Disorders, Child Health, Sleep Hygiene, Treatment, Prevention

A Comparative Study of Health and Well-being in Street Dogs Versus Pet Dogs

This study compares the health and well-being of street dogs and pet dogs, considering factors such as diet, exercise, healthcare access, and environmental influences. While pet dogs benefit from consistent care, vaccinations, and controlled environments, they are prone to lifestyle-related health issues like obesity and behavioural problems. Street dogs, despite limited access to medical care and regular nutrition, display stronger immune systems, higher adaptability, and resilience due to exposure to varied environments. Using a sample of 10 street dogs and 10 pet dogs, the study evaluates differences in body condition, coat health, immune resilience, behavioural traits, and veterinary care. Results indicate that street dogs exhibit better immune response and higher activity levels but suffer from malnutrition and untreated injuries. Conversely, pet dogs show fewer injuries and better coat conditions but face challenges like anxiety and sedentary lifestyles. The findings highlight the unique health profiles of both groups, shaped by their environments. A balanced approach that combines the resilience of street dogs with the structured care of pet dogs could optimize canine health outcomes. Future research with larger samples is recommended to enhance these insights and inform intervention strategies.

Psychometric evidence of the adaptation to the Brazilian context of the Childhood Mania Rating Scale - Parent/Guardian Version (CMRS-P).

To carry out the process of cross-cultural adaptation of the Child Mania Rating Scale - Parent Version (CMRS-P) for the Brazilian context. Statistical procedures were carried out, based on the analysis of the validity of the internal structure of the scale, as well as its relationship with external variables. 224 parents/guardians of children/adolescents aged between five and 18 years participated in the study. The data collection form included instruments for assessing (hypo)manic symptoms, irritability, inattention, hyperactivity, emotional symptoms and behavioral problems. Data were collected in person, at a public school and at a Psychosocial Care Center, and online (via Google forms). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, measurement invariance analyses, reliability analyzes were performed, as well as convergent and concurrent validity analyses. The one-dimensional model was investigated, showing satisfactory results, similar to those of the original scale. A reduced version was proposed with the ten most robust items from this study. Validity analyzes based on hypotheses indicated higher scores among those subjects with more clinical problems, such as the previous existence of a psychiatric diagnosis. Statistically significant and positive correlations, of low and moderate magnitudes, were observed with the scores of the other instruments used. The results indicated that the adapted versions of the CMRS-P (full scale and reduced form) are promising instruments for use in the country.

Dysregulation Profile in Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Italian Multi-Center Perspective

Background/Objectives: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social communication impairments and repetitive behaviors. Recent reports show that one in thirty-six 8-year-old children are autistic, signifying a considerable public health concern. According to previous studies, emotional dysregulation (ED) affects 50–60% of individuals with ASD and includes symptoms such as poor emotional control, heightened reactivity, and a low frustration tolerance. The main aims of the current study are to investigate the prevalence of ED among autistic preschoolers (below 6 years of age) and to assess the impacts of gender and intellectual disability on their emotional dysregulation profile. Methods: Data have been collected from three children’s research hospitals in Italy (IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Stella Maris Mediterraneo Foundation, and IRCCS Bambino Gesù). Parents of 825 autistic pre-schooled children (mean age: 39.68 months, SD: 10.51 months) completed a general questionnaire and the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), a reliable caregiver-reported assessment tool which provides a dysregulation profile. Results: A total of 30% of the children displayed a severe-to-moderate ED (emotional dysregulation) profile, with these children exhibiting significantly higher emotional–behavioral problems compared to those without ED. Males with ED exhibited greater emotional reactivity than females with ED. However, no significant relationships were found between ED and age, autism severity (ADOS-2), or intellectual disability. Conclusions: The results underline the importance of early, tailored interventions to face emotional challenges in young children with ASD, potentially improving long-term outcomes for this population.

고등학교 교사의 교직이탈 의도 영향요인 분석: PISA 2022 한국 자료를 바탕으로

The purpose of this study was to analyse the factors influencing high school teachers' intention to leave teaching and to explore educational alternatives to increase teachers' job satisfaction and reduce the risk of teacher attrition. To this end, a multilevel logistic regression model with intention to leave teaching as the dependent variable was analysed using Korean data from PISA 2022. The results showed that teachers with more than 30 years of experience who are approaching retirement age and female teachers were more likely to leave teaching than other groups. The risk of considering attrition was also increased if teachers had students with emotional behaviour problems in their classrooms or if their school had a high number of parents with graduate degrees. Collaborative relationships with colleagues were found to be protective against teacher attrition, while a school climate that encouraged parental involvement in school activities was found to increase the risk of teacher attrition. In addition, higher job stress related to teaching and assessment and lower job satisfaction were associated with higher intentions to leave teaching. Based on these findings, schoolᐨlevel efforts to reduce the risk of teacher attrition in high school are discussed.

Overview of Students’ Knowledge Levels Regarding Adolescent Reproductive Health at Senior High School 1 Tasikmalaya, Indonesia

Background: Adolescence is significantly associated with psychological development accompanied by sexual developments which together make teenagers more prone to risky behavioral problems. Reproductive health education is important as a provision of knowledge for adolescents regarding reproductive anatomy and physiology, the process of fetal development, and various reproductive problems. Aims: To determine students' understanding of adolescent reproductive health at Senior High School 1 Tasikmalaya, Indonesia. Methods: This research method was quantitative research using descriptive observational methods which was conducted in May 2024 at Senior High School 1 Tasikmalaya. The instrument used was questionnaire. The number of samples used based on calculations using the Slovin’s formula was 282 people. This research used stratified random sampling. Results: The finding of this research showed that 97.54% of the students had a high level of knowledge regarding reproductive health. Based on the puberty indicator, 92.61% of them demonstrated a high level of knowledge. In comparison, 67.61% had a high level of knowledge about reproductive organs, while only 2.11% were found to have low knowledge. Based on the reproductive health care indicator, 88.38% of the students possessed a high level of knowledge. On the pregnancy and sexual behavior indicators, 88.73% also demonstrated a high level of knowledge, while 0.71% was classified as having low knowledge. Conclusion: The level of knowledge of the students regarding adolescent reproductive health at Senior High School 1 Tasikmalaya was primarily classified in the high category. Received: 25 September 2024 | Reviewed: 19 October 2024 | Revised: 23 November 2024 | Accepted: 30 November 2024.

Pensions are boring: employee engagement with pensions, using the transtheoretical model of behavioural change

Purpose This case study aims to review the impact of using the transtheoretical model of behavioural change in the design of a digital pension journey with the intension of increasing engagement by employees at the point of retirement in their pension choices. Design/methodology/approach This case study considers the employee engagement with an existing digital pension journey before and after the tool is redesigned using the transtheoretical model of behavioural change. Findings This case study highlights the positive impact of using the transtheoretical model of behavioural change in designing a digital pension journey, highlighting the benefit of supporting employees in the pre-contemplation and contemplation stages of their engagement with their pension. Originality/value The transtheoretical model of behavioural change has traditionally been used to help people overcome addictions and other problematic behaviours. This case study highlights how it can be used in other settings to support behavioural change.

Evaluation of the Effects of the Picture Exchange Communication System™ Protocol on Problematic Behavior across the School Day

Evaluation of the Effects of the Picture Exchange Communication System™ Protocol on Problematic Behavior across the School Day

Does socioeconomic factors and child behavior contribute to caregiver's stress in families of children with disabilities in Jordan: A cross-sectional study.

This study explored whether socioeconomic factors and child behavior are associated with caregiver stress in families of children with disabilities aged 2 to 17 living in Jordan. This study employed a cross-sectional design using an online survey. The survey, distributed mainly on social media, consisted of questions on demographics, child disability using the Washington Group Short Set on Functioning (WG-SS), caregiver stress levels using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6), and child behavior using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Descriptive statistics, correlation testing (Pearson and Spearman tests), and stepwise multiple regression analysis were used to identify whether caregiver stress was associated with child disability and behavior and 4 socioeconomic factors (caregiver age, employment status, child disability, and child gender). In total, 161 caregivers completed the survey. Being older, employed, and having a female child were associated with less caregiver stress (P = .010, P = .017, and P = .009, respectively). Having a child with a higher disability score and more behavioral problems was associated with higher caregiver stress. Our findings highlight the importance of developing a comprehensive evaluation process to identify how child disability affects different areas of caregivers' lives, and interventions to address caregiver stress. We recommend implementing policies to increase access to mental health services and parenting resources, particularly for young and unemployed caregivers.

Parenting Stress, Child Behavior Problems, and Household Chaos: Examining Parenting in Early Head Start Families

Parenting Stress, Child Behavior Problems, and Household Chaos: Examining Parenting in Early Head Start Families