Early Risk Factors Have Powerful Impact On Child Behavior Problems

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Also Included In: Nursing / Midwifery;  Psychology / Psychiatry;  Mental Health
Article Date: 21 Mar 2008 - 2:00 PST

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Understanding the specific risk factors that cause behavior problems in young children can help nurses and other pediatric health care professionals intervene in time to prevent serious future consequences, according to a recent report in Pediatric Nursing journal.

In an in-depth research analysis in the January-February 2008 issue, authors Tracy Magee and Sister Callista Roy analyze data from an 8-year study using a sample of 721 children. The sample was taken from a larger study, the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 Children and Young Adults conducted by the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Magee's and Roy's analysis focused on the effects of three factors: mother, environment and child. The authors considered the mother's mental state and discipline methods, as well as the quality/safety of home and school environments. They also considered different behaviors between male and female children. Results showed that young toddlers with difficult temperament, regardless of gender, were 2.3% more likely to exhibit later behavior problems. Boys who had less able mothers and difficult temperament at a young age were the highest risk group; these children had an eightfold risk for behavior problems in subsequent years.

For nurses to have a positive influence, the authors say, there must be more nursing education on childhood growth and development. They also emphasize that nurses should advocate for clean water, adequate housing, access to health care and better education for all children so risk factors - and families' living situations - are improved across the country.

"Predicting School-Age Behavior Problems: The Role of Early Childhood Risk Factors"
Tracy Magee, PhD, RN, CPNP, and Sister Callista Roy, PhD, RN, FAAN
Pediatric Nursing January-February 2008.

Pediatric Nursing is a clinically-based journal focusing on the needs of professionals in pediatric practice, research, administration and education. www.pediatricnursing.net