Emotional and behavioral problems of preschool children and their correlation with family factors

XIAO Yuhan; CHEN Tianjiao

doi:10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-0396

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Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2025, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (4) : 396-401. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-0396

Original Articles

Emotional and behavioral problems of preschool children and their correlation with family factors

XIAO Yuhan^1,2, CHEN Tianjiao¹

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Abstract

Objective To explore the emotional and behavioral problems of preschool children and their correlation with family factors, in order to provide a basis for early prevention of such problems. Methods From March to June 2023, a cluster sampling method was adopted to select 912 preschool children aged 3 to 6 years from 10 kindergartens in Haidian District, Beijing. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to assess children's emotional and behavioral problems, while the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was employed to evaluate parents' mental health status, and the Parenting Stress Index/Short Form (PSI/SF) was used to assess parenting stress. The χ² test was applied to compare differences in the detection rates of children's emotional and behavioral problems. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the correlation of children's emotional and behavioral problems with parents' mental health status and parenting stress. A structural equation model was constructed to test the mediating effect of parenting stress on the influence of parents' mental health status on children's emotional and behavioral problems. Results The detection rate of emotional and behavioral problems among preschool children in Haidian District, Beijing, was 19.0% (173/912), with varying detection rates among children with different living and behavioral characteristics and socioeconomic status. The detection rates of poor mental health status and increased parenting stress among parents were 18.0%(164/912) and 20.0%(182/912), respectively. Poor mental health status of parents (OR=2.73, P<0.001) and increased parenting stress (OR=6.62, P<0.001) were associated with an increased risk of emotional and behavioral problems in children. Parents' mental health status could influence children's emotional and behavioral problems through parenting stress (β=0.25, P<0.001). Conclusion Poor mental health status of parents and increased parenting stress are associated with emotional and behavioral problems in preschool children. Early identification and intervention in parents' mental health issues and relief of parenting stress have positive implications for the prevention of emotional and behavioral problems in preschool children.

Key words

mental health / parenting stress / emotional and behavioral problems / preschool children / parents

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XIAO Yuhan, CHEN Tianjiao. Emotional and behavioral problems of preschool children and their correlation with family factors[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2025, 33(4): 396-401 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-0396

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