Behavior and emotional problems in children with mental retardation

  • Soedjatmiko Soedjatmiko
  • Muzal Kadim
  • Bambang Madiyono
  • Mardjanis Said
Keywords: mental retardation, Child Behavior Checklist, Symptom Checklist-90, risk factor, behavior problem, emotional problem

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lems were anxious/depressed (18%) and withdrawn (16%).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

Author Biographies

Soedjatmiko Soedjatmiko
Department of Child Health, Medical School, University of
Indonesia, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta
Muzal Kadim
Department of Child Health, Medical School, University of
Indonesia, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta
Bambang Madiyono
Department of Child Health, Medical School, University of
Indonesia, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta
Mardjanis Said
Department of Child Health, Medical School, University of
Indonesia, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta

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Published
2016-10-10
How to Cite
1.
Soedjatmiko S, Kadim M, Madiyono B, Said M. Behavior and emotional problems in children with mental retardation. PI [Internet]. 10Oct.2016 [cited 27Nov.2024];44(3):90-. Available from: https://paediatricaindonesiana.org/index.php/paediatrica-indonesiana/article/view/742
Section
Articles
Received 2016-09-29
Accepted 2016-09-29
Published 2016-10-10