Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Early Adolescents and Association with Socio-demographic Risk Factors

Abstract

Aim

The aim is to analyse the frequency emotional and behavioural problems early adolescents and association with socio-demographic risk factors.

Subject and methods

We analysed a group of 240 early adolescents (11–15 years) from the area of Tuzla Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the general population. For the assessment of children's emotional and behavioural problems, the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire – SDQ is used. Data were processed by descriptive statistics. For the assessment association between socio-demographic risk factors and emotional and behavioural problems in early adolescents we used Pearson correlation test.

Results

The result show that the frequency of emotional and behavioural problems are present in 3% of cases, The results of correlation sociodemographic risk factors and emotional and behavioral problems, showed that unemployed mothers have a significant increased risk of developing behavioral disorders in early adolescents (P < 0.05). Low family economic status leads to a significantly higher frequency of emotional symptoms in early adolescents, poor attitude towards society and significantly higher overall difficulties (P < 0.05). Higher levels of parental education was significantly associated with a higher frequency of behavioral problems and illness in the family leads to a much more emotional problems (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The obtained results of this study indicate that early adolescents showed low levels of emotional and behavioral problems. There is a significant correlation between socio-demographic risk factors and emotional and behavioral problems early adolescents.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.