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Problem Behaviour and Associated Risk Factors in Young Children

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 February 2012

Andrew J. Martin
Affiliation:
University of Western Sydney, Australia.
Ken W. Linfoot
Affiliation:
University of Western Sydney, Australia.
Jennifer Stephenson*
Affiliation:
Macquarie University, Australia. [email protected]
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr Jennifer Stephenson, Macquarie University Special Education Centre, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia.
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Abstract

There is increasing concern about the number of preschool children displaying problem behaviour. This study examines the relative contribution of potential risk factors, particularly those related to families, to problem behaviour in the lives of a sample of western Sydney three- to five-year-old children. Problem behaviour was assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach & Edelbrock, 1991), encompassing measures of anxious, depressed, uncommunicative, obsessive, somatic complaint, social withdrawal, hyperactive, aggressive, and delinquent behaviours. Particularly salient risk factors associated with problem behaviour were found to be children's behaviour when very young (an indicant of temperament), personal stress in parents associated with concerns about the family and economic worries, and parenting characterised by guilt and anxiety.

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Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

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