Behavior and emotional problems in children with mental retardation

Abstract

Background Behavior and emotional problems in a mentally re- tarded child can inhibit the educational process of the child. Objectives The aims of this study were to find out the prevalence of behavior and emotional problems in children with mental retar- dation as reported by parents and to assess associated risk fac- tors consisting of mother’s psychopathology, marital discord, male sex, child’s age, socioeconomic status, and family size. Methods This cross sectional study was carried out on 63 chil- dren with mental retardation in a school for retarded children, SLB C Asih Budi I, from January until March 2003. Parents were inter- viewed at school and home using special questionnaires, the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90). Results The prevalence of behavior and emotional problems in this study was 52%. The majority of behavior and emotional prob- lems were anxious/depressed (18%) and withdrawn (16%). Male sex and age group of 12-18 year-old were not risk factors of be- havior and emotional problems (OR=0.49, p=0.190 and OR=1.14, p=0.94, respectively) while socioeconomic status, family size, and mother’s psychopathology were risk factors (OR= 4.08, p=0.008; OR=4.17, p=0.014; OR=9.28, p=0.018; respectively). There was a correlation between behavior and emotional problems of chil- dren and marital discord. Conclusion The prevalence of behavior and emotional problems was 52% in which the majority was internalizing disorder. Risk fac- tors for behavior and emotional problems were mother’s psycho- pathology, four or more children in the family, low socioeconomic status, and marital discord

Keywords

• mental retardation
• Child Behavior Checklist
• Symptom Checklist-90
• risk factor
• behavior problem
• emotional problem