P01-249 - Emotional and behavioral symptoms related to sociodemographic factors for the children/adolescents presented at Tirana child/adolescent psychiatric clinic

Abstract

Children/adolescents make an important part of Albanian society. The objective of this study was to identify emotional and behavioral problems and their relation with socio-demographic factors.

Methods

Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (Goodman et al, 1998) completed from children and their parents. SDQ included 25 items, generating scores for emotional-behavioral problems.

Statistical analysis

Was completed using SPSS 10.0. Comparisons were made between groups, problems and predictive factors influencing emotional and behavioral problems.

Results

A total of 200 children referred to CAP from 2 - 17 years old were screened, from which 53.1% males and 46.3% females. Mean age was 9.5 ± 4.4 years old. 15.4% were identified being with borderline emotional symptoms and 62.9% were within abnormal range of emotional symptoms. 16.7% of the children were identified with borderline behavioral symptom and 60.6% were within abnormal range of behavioral symptoms. 10.5% were identified with borderline hyperactivity symptoms and 48.7% were within abnormal range of hyperactivity/inattention symptoms. From the total sample resulted that 8% of them had borderline difficulties and other 84.6% of the subjects had experienced abnormal and major overall social, emotional, behavioral difficulties. There was a significant statistical difference between symptoms and gender (p< 0.002).

Conclusions

This study represents a serious approach in identifying problems of emotional and behavioral health for Albanian children/adolescents and the need of further studies in community for the prevention of mental health problems in children/adolescents.