Risk Factor For Behavioral Problems Research Articles

Risk factors for behavior problems in cats presented to an Australian companion animal behavior clinic

Behavior problems in companion animals are common reasons for relinquishment or euthanasia. Insight into the risk factors for problem behaviors will facilitate the construction of strategies for solutions. We identified risk factors for behavior problems in domestic cats whose owners contacted a companion animal behavior clinic in Brisbane, Australia. Owners of 1,556 cats reported on their cats' behavior problem, breed, sex and age, and owner's postcodes and work routine were also recorded. Risk factors were determined from proportional morbidities for the behavior problem that each cat was reported as having. Breed effects were also assessed by comparing the numbers of cats in each breed group with the breeds of registered cats in a part of the catchment area. Behavior problems in domestic cats where the owners sought professional advice were mostly (71% of all cats) related to house soiling, usually urination, and aggression, especially to familiar people. Persian and similar breeds were at reduced risk of aggression to familiar cats but increased risk of house soiling, compared to other breed groups. Overall, Persian, Siamese, Burmese, and similar breeds had more behavior problems than companion cat breeds. Older cats showed increasing tolerance of familiar people but reduced tolerance of other cats. Males were more likely to present with excessive vocalization and house soiling with urine and less likely to present with aggression between familiar cats. We conclude that cat breed, age and sex, and social advantage of the area in which the cat lives are risk factors for specific behavior problems.

Prognostic Factors for Behavioral Problems and Psychiatric Disorders in Children Born Very Preterm or Very Low Birth Weight: A Systematic Review.

Risk factors associated with adverse behavioral outcomes in very preterm (VPT) or very low birth weight (VLBW) infants are poorly understood. The aim of this article is to identify prognostic factors for behavioral problems and psychiatric disorders in children born ≤32 weeks gestational age or with birth weight ≤1250 g. A systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, and Pyscinfo databases to identify studies published between January 1, 1990 and June 1, 2014 reporting multivariable prediction models for behavioral problems or psychiatric disorders in VPT/VLBW children. Fifteen studies were identified and 2 independent reviewers extracted key information on study design, outcome definition, risk factor selection, model development, reporting, and conducted a risk of bias assessment. The 15 studies included reported risk factor analyses for the following domains: general behavioral problems (n = 8), any psychiatric disorder (n = 2), autism spectrum symptoms/disorders (n = 5), and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (n = 1). Findings were inconclusive because of the following: small number of studies in each domain, heterogeneity in outcome measures, lack of overlap in the risk factors examined, and differences in strategies for dealing with children with neurological impairments. There is a lack of evidence concerning risk factors for behavior problems and psychiatric disorders among VPT/VLBW survivors. This review has identified the need for further research examining the etiology of disorders of psychological development in the VPT/VLBW population to refine risk prediction and identify targets for intervention. Large well-conducted studies that use standard diagnostic evaluations to assess psychiatric disorders throughout childhood and adolescence are required.

Prevalence of behavior problems and associated factors in preschool children from the city of Salvador, state of Bahia, Brazil.

Objective:To identify the prevalence of internalizing and externalizing behavior problems among preschoolers from the city of Salvador, state of Bahia, Brazil, and their associations with maternal mental health and family characteristics.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study of 349 children aged 49 to 72 months, randomly selected from 20,000 households representing the range of socioeconomic and environmental conditions in Salvador. In 1999, we assessed sociodemographic variables and family environment characteristics. In 2001, we used the Child Behavior Checklist to measure and describe the frequencies of behavior problems. We conducted bivariate and multivariate analysis to estimate associations between family and maternal factors and prevalence of behavior problems.Results:The overall prevalence of behavior problems was 23.5%. The prevalence of internalizing problems was 9.7%, and that of externalizing problems, 25.2%. Behavior problems were associated with several maternal mental health variables, namely: presence of at least one psychiatric diagnosis (odds radio [OR] 3.01, 95%CI 1.75-5.18), anxiety disorder (OR 2.06, 95%CI 1.20-3.46), affective disorder (OR 2.10, 95%CI 1.21-3.65), and mental health disorders due to use of psychoactive substances (OR 2.31, 95%CI 1.18-4.55).Conclusion:The observed prevalence of child behavior problems fell within the range reported in previous studies. Maternal mental health is an important risk factor for behavior problems in preschool-aged children.

Early second‐hand smoke exposure and child and adolescent mental health: evidence from Hong Kong's ‘Children of 1997’ birth cohort

Second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure is associated negatively with childhood behavioural problems in western settings. In a developed non-western setting, we estimated the associations of early SHS exposure during the prenatal and postnatal periods with several aspects of adolescent mental health. Multivariable linear regression was used to estimate the adjusted associations of pre- and postnatal SHS exposure with adolescent mental health. Hong Kong. Population-representative "Children of 1997" birth cohort. Behavioural problems at ~11 years were available for 5598, self-esteem at ~11 years for 6937 and depressive symptoms at ~13 years for 5797. SHS was categorized as no SHS exposure, occasional prenatal SHS exposure from non-parental sources, daily prenatal SHS exposure from non-parental sources, postnatal SHS exposure from non-parental sources, prenatal and postnatal SHS exposure from non-parental sources, occasional paternal smoking, daily paternal smoking and any maternal smoking. Behavioural problems were assessed from parent-reported Rutter score, self-esteem from self-reported Culture-Free Self-Esteem Inventory score and depressive symptoms from self-reported Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score. Prenatal SHS exposure from non-parental sources was associated with behavioural problems at ~11 years (1.24, 95% confidence interval 0.20-2.28) adjusted for sex, age of assessment, survey mode (for depressive symptoms only), socio-economic position (SEP), mother's birthplace, gestational age and parity; paternal smoking and maternal smoking were associated with more mental health problems but also with lower SEP. In Hong Kong, prenatal second-hand tobacco smoke exposure appears to be a risk factor for behavioural problems at age 11 years independent of socio-economic position.

Socioeconomic deprivation is an independent risk factor for behavioral problems in children with epilepsy

AimThe aim of this study was to examine whether socioeconomic deprivation in children with epilepsy (CWE) increases risk for behavioral problems independent of seizure factors. MethodsA cross-sectional study was done in which parents of children attending a specialist epilepsy clinic were invited to complete a child behavior checklist (CBCL) questionnaire about their child. Medical and sociodemographic data on CWE were obtained through their pediatric neurologists. Home postal code was used to obtain quintiles of Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2012 (SIMD2012) scores for individuals. Lower (1–3) quintiles correspond to higher socioeconomic deprivation. Regression analysis was used to investigate whether a lower quintile was an independent risk factor for scores >63 (significant behavioral problem). ResultsParents of 87 children (42 male, mean age of 10.5years) were enrolled. Fifty-nine percent had total scores >63. A higher proportion of children from quintiles 1–3 compared to those from quintiles 4–5 had externalizing (49% vs. 25%, p=0.02) and total (54% vs. 30%, p=0.02) scores >63. Adjusted OR of quintiles 1–3 vs. 4–5 for scores >63=14.8, 95% CI=3.0, 68.0. Fewer children with scores >63 and from quintiles 1–3 were known to the child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) compared to those in quintiles 4–5 (p=0.01). InterpretationSocioeconomic deprivation was an independent risk factor for behavioral problems in CWE. Children with epilepsy and behavioral problems who lived in socioeconomically deprived areas received less help.

Maternal and Paternal Perception of Child Vulnerability and Behaviour Problems in Very Preterm Born Children

Preterm born children have more behaviour problems than term born children. Perinatal risks, current child functioning, sociodemographic characteristics, parental psychological distress and parental perceptions of child vulnerability (PCV) have been shown to be risk factors for behaviour problems. However, the role of maternal and paternal PCV is unclear, as these have not been investigated as a risk factor for behaviour problems, with all other risk factors taken into account. Aim of this study is to investigate whether maternal and paternal PCV are independent risk factors for behaviour problems in very preterm (VP) and term born children. The present study is a single centre prospective cohort study. Preterm children (n = 104), born at <30 weeks' gestation and/or birth weight <1000 g, and term children (n = 95) were assessed at age 5. Results showed that risk factors for parent-rated behaviour problems were low/middle parental education, VP birth, parental stress and, in VP children, maternal PCV. Risk factors for teacher-rated behaviour problems were low/middle parental education, foreign parental country of birth, intrauterine growth restriction and objective child vulnerabilities. It can be concluded that maternal PCV is a risk factor for parent-rated behaviour problems in VP children. When VP children are presented with behavioural problems, clinicians ought to be aware of the possibility that parents might still perceive their child as vulnerable. The neonatal history of the child, the way parents experienced that period, their perceptions of the child and possible consequences of these perceptions could be subjects for conversation during visits at follow-up clinics. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Subtypes of exposure to intimate partner violence within a Canadian child welfare sample: Associated risks and child maladjustment

Children exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) are at increased risk of experiencing behavioral difficulties including externalizing and internalizing problems. While there is mounting evidence about mental health problems in children exposed to IPV, most of the research to date focuses on IPV exposure as a unitary, homogeneous construct. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between subtypes of IPV exposure on child functioning and presence of harm within a child welfare sample. Given the evidence of the “double whammy” effect, co-occurring IPV exposure was also examined. Using data from the Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect – 2008 (n=2,184) we examined whether specific IPV exposure subtypes or their co-occurrence resulted in a greater risk of child maladjustment. Information was obtained from child welfare workers’ reports. Caregiver and household risk factors were also examined. Co-occurring IPV exposure resulted in the greatest risk for reported child maladjustment. Exposure to emotional IPV and direct physical IPV were significantly associated with increased risk of internalizing problems and presence of harm. Caregiver mental health and lack of social support emerged as significant risk factors for behavior problems. This study adds to the evidence that exposure to subtypes of IPV may be differentially related to child functioning. Given that risk factors and child functioning is part of the decision-making framework for case worker referrals, this study provides important preliminary evidence about how the child welfare system operates in practice with respect to sub-types of exposure to IPV. These findings suggest that intervening with children exposed to different types of IPV may require a tailored approach.

Callous-Unemotional Traits, Narcissism, and Behavioral History as Predictors of Discipline Problems in an Adolescent Residential Program

This study explored the utility of ratings of behavioral problem history, callous-unemotional (CU) traits, and narcissism for predicting disciplinary citations for 111 adolescents attending a residential intervention program for at-risk youth. Personality factors predicted unique variance in disciplinary citations during the residential program, whereas self-reports of a history of aggression, conduct problems, and delinquency did not. Implications for understanding personality variables as risk factors for problem behaviors in a residential setting are discussed. In particular, it appears potentially useful for professionals in residential programs to understand the potential role of some personality factors on adolescent conduct in the residential milieu.

Measuring Adolescent Individual Values with Rating and Constant-Sum Scales

The main goal of the studies described in this article is to examine the relationship between a) the extent of the differences of the value hierarchy for adolescents revealed by different methods and b) the risk factors for problem behavior. The first study is tests the hypothesis that larger differences correspond to greater conflicts in relationships between adolescents and their parents. The second study examines the relationship between a) the extent of the differences of the value hierarchy for adolescents revealed by different methods and b) various kinds of adolescent behavior assessed by teachers. The peculiarities of using the constant-sum scale and the discrepancy index between value hierarchies gained by using ratings and constant-sum scales are discussed.

Aspects of Activity Participation as Risk Factors for Conduct Problems in Children and Adolescents: A Literature Review Using Ecological Systems Theory

This article reviews a wide range of risk factors associated with the development of conduct problems in children, with a particular focus on the influence of time spent engaged in different types of activities. The review reveals the behavioral benefits to children and adolescents of participation in activities with physical, social, and restful properties and those that can be described as structured. Further highlighted is the need for parents and occupational therapists to be aware of children's time use and daily activity participation, and the potential for these activities to be harnessed to facilitate positive behavioral outcomes for children.

Association of sleep and behavioral problems in Nanjing preschool children

Objective To investigate the prevalence of sleep and behavioral problems in a large sample of Nanjing preschoolers, and explore the relationship between them. Methods A total of 1327 children from 6 kindergartens of 2 districts in Nanjing, aged 3-6 years, were included in the study by using a stratified random sample survey method.Parents of these children completed a questionnaire including sleep habits and social characteristics of the children and their family.Behavioral problem scores were measured by the Achenbach children behavior checklist for children aged 1.5-5.0 years.The relationship between sleep and behavioral problems was tested using multivariate Logistic regression models to control for potentially confounding factors. Results Overall, 52.68% of the children were found to have sleep problems.The prevalence of sleep problems in boys was 56.11%, which was significantly higher than that (48.60%) in girls (P=0.006). The prevalence of total behavioral problems was 10.40%.Children with sleep problems had significantly higher prevalence and scores of total behavioral problems, internalizing syndrome and externalizing syndrome compared with those of children without sleep problems, and the differences were significant(P<0.05). In Logistic regression models, the children sleep problems were significantly contributed to total behavioral problems(OR=2.08, P<0.001). Conclusion The children sleep problems are common and as a risk factor for behavioral problems in Nanjing preschoolers. Key words: Sleep problem; Behavioral problems; Preschool child

Preterm birth and behaviour problems in infants and preschool‐age children: a review of the recent literature

The behaviour problems of children born preterm at school age are well known, but there have been few studies on the behaviour problems of preterm-born infants during infancy and at preschool age. Fourteen cohort studies published in PubMed and PsycINFO between 2000 and 2012 were reviewed with a focus on the type, occurrence, comorbidity, stability, prediction, perinatal, social, and relational risk factors for behaviour problems of preterm-born children in infancy (0-2y) and at preschool age (3-5y). The relational risk factor was considered in an additional four papers. Very-preterm, very-low-birthweight, and moderately-preterm children, in both age groups, show more behaviour problems than term-born comparison children even after perinatal and social risk factors and cognitive performance have been controlled for. Poor social/interactive skills, poor behavioural and emotional self-regulation, emotional difficulties, and reduced attention are the most common behaviour problems. Behaviour problems in infancy are predictive of later behaviour problems and they should be included in follow-up programmes.

Effect of gene, environment and maternal depressive symptoms on pre-adolescence behavior problems – a longitudinal study

BackgroundDepression is a common and disabling condition with a high relapse frequency. Maternal mental health problems and experience of traumatic life events are known to increase the risk of behavior problems in children. Recently, genetic factors, in particular gene-by-environment interaction models, have been implicated to explain depressive etiology. However, results are inconclusive.MethodsStudy participants were members of the SESBiC-study. A total of 889 mothers and their children were followed during the child’s age of 3 months to 12 years. Information on maternal depressive symptoms was gathered postpartum and at a 12 year follow-up. Mothers reported on child behavior and traumatic life events experienced by the child at age 12. Saliva samples were obtained from children for analysis of 5-HTTLPR and BDNF Val66Met polymorphisms.ResultsMultivariate analysis showed a significant association between maternal symptoms of depression and anxiety, and internalizing problems in 12-year-old children (OR 5.72, 95% CI 3.30-9.91). Furthermore, carriers of two short alleles (s/s) of the 5-HTTLPR showed a more than 4-fold increased risk of internalizing problems at age 12 compared to l/l carriers (OR 4.73, 95% CI 2.14-10.48). No gene-by-environment interaction was found and neither depressive symptoms postpartum or traumatic experiences during childhood stayed significant in the final model.ConclusionsConcurrent maternal symptoms of depression and anxiety are significant risk factors for behavior problems in children, which need to be taken into account in clinical practice. Furthermore, we found a main effect of 5-HTTLPR on internalizing symptoms in 12-year-old children, a finding that needs to be confirmed in future studies.

Risk factors for problem behavior in adolescents of parents with a chronic medical condition.

A wide array of risk factors for problem behavior in adolescents with chronically ill parents emerges from the literature. This study aims to identify those factors with the highest impact on internalizing problem behavior (anxious, depressed and withdrawn behavior, and somatic complaints) and externalizing problem behavior (aggressive and rule-breaking behavior) as measured by the Youth Self-Report (YSR). The YSR was filled in by 160 adolescents (mean age = 15.1 years) from 100 families (102 chronically ill parents and 83 healthy spouses). Linear mixed model analyses were used, enabling separation of variance attributable to individual factors and variance attributable to family membership (i.e., family cluster effect). Predictors were child, parent, illness-related and family characteristics. The results showed that almost half of the variance in internalizing problem scores was explained by family membership, while externalizing problems were mainly explained by individual factors. Roughly 60 % of the variance in internalizing problems was predicted by illness duration, adolescents’ feeling of isolation, daily hassles affecting personal life and alienation from the mother. Approximately a third of the variance in externalizing problems was predicted by adolescents’ male gender, daily hassles concerning ill parents and alienation from both parents. In conclusion, the variance in adolescent problem behavior is largely accounted for by family membership, children’s daily hassles and parent–child attachment. To prevent marginalization of adolescents with a chronically ill parent, it is important to be alert for signs of problem behavior and foster the peer and family support system.

Support from the Start: effective programmes for nine to 13 year‐olds

PurposeThis paper aims to review selected effective interventions (available in the United Kingdom) for middle childhood (9‐13 years) to reduce the risk of, or current/subsequent involvement in, anti‐social behaviour and criminality.Design/methodology/approachElectronic databases and reviews of evidence‐based effective programmes were searched to identify family, school, child and community programmes that are available in the United Kingdom.FindingsDespite current public policy emphasis on “early intervention”, there are increasing numbers of effective interventions for this older age range available within the UK. Age‐appropriate risk‐reduction interventions reflect family, school, community, and peer influences.Originality/valueThis paper, read in conjunction with other age‐specific contributions in this volume, demonstrates the growing viability of evidence‐based strategies that support children and their families to reduce known risk factors for behavioural problems, and respond to antisocial and criminal behaviour.

Relationship between behaviour problems and perceived parenting practices in Korean youth

Parenting practices have been accepted as powerful risk factors for behaviour problems, even though previous studies have suffered from significant methodological problems, such as small, non-representative samples, cross-sectional study designs, poor control for confounders, and minimal consideration of paternal parenting. This study examined whether three, specific maternal and paternal parenting practices are associated with internalizing and externalizing behavioural problems in youth. A prospective, longitudinal, cohort study was conducted among 1641 seventh- and eighth-grade students from representative sample of middle school students. The measurements were the Korean Youth Self Report and the Childrearing Behavior Questionnaire (measuring three dimensions of parenting practice: warmth-acceptance, rejection-restriction and permissiveness-non-intervention). Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were performed. Maternal rejection-restriction increased risks for internalizing problems (OR = 1.112), whereas paternal control-rejection increased risks for externalizing behavioural problem (OR = 1.125). Specific parenting practices showed differential associations with youth behaviour problems. These results suggest that further studies are necessary to understand the importance of unique and shared parenting practices as well as their interactions with other factors in the aetiology of youth behaviour problems. In the meantime, these findings point to therapeutic opportunities for both parents and their children.

Subcortical structures and the neurobiology of infant attachment disorganization: A longitudinal ultrasound imaging study

Attachment disorganization in infancy is a risk factor for behavior problems and other psychopathology. Traditionally the role of parental behavior for qualitative differences in early attachment relationships has been emphasized. However, disrupted infant–parent interactions only partly explain attachment disorganization. A complementary focus on child factors such as early differences in the underlying neurobiological systems is needed. We examined whether early structural differences in the gangliothalamic ovoid, comprising the basal ganglia and the thalamus, are involved in the etiology of infant attachment disorganization. Gangliothalamic ovoid diameter was measured by ultrasound in 6-week-old participants of a prospective population-based cohort study. Attachment classification of 629 of these infants was assessed with the strange situation at 14 months of age. Neurobiological differences within the normal range were prospectively associated with attachment disorganization. Infants with a larger gangliothalamic ovoid at 6 weeks had a lower risk of attachment disorganization at 14 months (OR = 0.73 per SD increase in diameter, 95% CI 0.57–0.93, p < .05). Volume of the lateral ventricles as an index of general brain development was not associated with attachment disorganization. These findings provide new insight into the etiology of infant attachment disorganization that may in part be neurodevelopmentally determined.

Behavior problems in children at time of first recognized seizure and changes over the following 3 years

ObjectivesThe purposes of this 36-month study of children with first recognized seizures were: (1) to describe baseline differences in behavior problems between children with and without prior unrecognized seizures; (2) to identify differences over time in behavior problems between children with seizures and their healthy siblings; (3) to identify the proportions of children with seizures and healthy siblings who were consistently at risk for behavior problems for 36months; and (4) to identify risk factors for behavior problems 36months following the first recognized seizure. Risk factors explored included demographic (child age and gender, caregiver education), neuropsychological (IQ, processing speed), seizure (epileptic syndrome, use of antiepileptic drug, seizure recurrence), and family (family mastery, satisfaction with family relationships, parent response) variables. MethodsParticipants were 300 children aged 6 through 14years with a first recognized seizure and 196 healthy siblings. Data were collected from medical records, structured interviews, self-report questionnaires, and neuropsychological testing. Behavior problems were measured using the Child Behavior Checklist and the Teacher's Report Form. Data analyses included descriptive statistics and linear mixed models. ResultsChildren with prior unrecognized seizures were at higher risk for behavior problems at baseline. As a group, children with seizures showed a steady reduction in behavior problems over time. Children with seizures were found to have significantly more behavior problems than their siblings over time, and significantly more children with seizures (11.3%) than siblings (4.6%) had consistent behavior problems over time. Key risk factors for child behavior problems based on both caregivers and teachers were: less caregiver education, slower initial processing speed, slowing of processing speed over the first 36months, and a number of family variables including lower levels of family mastery or child satisfaction with family relationships, lower parent support of the child's autonomy, and lower parent confidence in their ability to discipline their child. ConclusionsChildren with new-onset seizures who are otherwise developing normally have higher rates of behavior problems than their healthy siblings; however, behavior problems are not consistently in the at-risk range in most children during the first 3years after seizure onset. When children show behavior problems, family variables that might be targeted include family mastery, parent support of child autonomy, and parents’ confidence in their ability to handle their children's behavior.

Risk factors for behavioural problems in foetal alcohol spectrum disorders

To examine risk and protective factors associated with behavioural problems of children and adolescents following prenatal alcohol exposure. A total of 73 children and adolescents with foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) were assessed for internalizing, externalizing and total behavioural problems using the Child Behavior Checklist. Linear regression models were used to determine the effects of diagnostic and environmental risk and protective factors on behaviour, while controlling for age, sex and IQ. Length of time spent in residential care was the most pervasive risk factor associated with internalizing, externalizing and total behavioural problems. A low dysmorphology score was related to more internalizing and total problems. Children and adolescents prenatally exposed to alcohol faced greater risk of substantive behavioural problems (i) if they were less visibly alcohol affected and (ii) the longer time they had spent in residential care. The results underscore the clinical importance of appropriate services and care for less visibly affected children with FASD and highlight the need to attend to children with FASD being raised in institutions.

An epidemiological study on Finnish school-aged children with learning difficulties and behavioural problems

Objectives. To investigate the association between learning difficulties (LDs) and behavioural and emotional problems of 8-year-old children in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 (n=9432).Study design. A cross-sectional study.Methods. Teachers assessed children’s behaviour with a Rutter scale (RB2) and assessed their learning with questions about whether a child had difficulties in reading, spelling and mathematics.Results. Of the children, 21.4% (n=1774) had 1 or more learning difficulties (LDs): 12.3% (n=1026) had a verbal LD, 3.0% (n=248) a mathematical LD and 6.0% (n=500) a combined LD. For boys with LDs, an adjusted odds ratio of having behavioural problems was 3.1 (95% CI 2.5–4.0) and emotional problems 3.0 (2.0–4.6), and for girls 3.9 (2.6–5.8) and 5.3 (3.6–8.1), respectively. In boys and girls, verbal difficulties were associated with behavioural and emotional problems whereas mathematical difficulties were associated with behavioural problems in boys and with emotional problems in girls. Divorced and reconstructed family types were significant risk factors for LDs and behavioural problems, whereas a lifelong one-parent family type was a risk factor for behavioural problems, but not for LDs. A child’s younger age compared to that of classmates, a mother’s and a father’s low education level and a low family SES were risk factors for having LDs.Conclusion. More attention should be paid to children whose families are facing adverse circumstances, especially as it affects their preschool education, in order to support their learning and school attendance.