Persistence and change in behavioural problems during early childhood.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Behavioural problems and psychopathology can present from as early as the preschool period. However there is evidence that behavioural difficulties may not be stable over this period. Therefore, the current study was interested in evaluating the persistence and change in clinically relevant behavioural problems during early childhood in a population-based New Zealand birth cohort.

Methods

Behaviour was assessed in 5896 children when they were aged 2 and 4.5 years using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Correlations and mean differences in subscale and total difficulties scores were examined. Scores were then dichotomised into normal/borderline and abnormal ranges to evaluate the persistence and change in significant behavioural problems. Chi-squa

SUBMITTER: D'Souza S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6659228 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature