PARENTAL PSYCHOPATHOLOGY, CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND CHILDHOOD BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS

Abstract

In the recent years, many researchers have been trying to identify the predictors of behavioral problems in children. In Pakistan, such a study has become necessary because many prevalence studies have found out higher percentages of children with behavior problems in Pakistan. Previous researches give us a direction to explore the predictors which might be contributing in childhood behavioral problems. The present study focuses on parental psychopathology and child abuse and neglect as predictor variables. It is a correlational study which aims to find out the relationship between parental psychopathology, child abuse and neglect and childhood behavioral problems. Childhood behavioural problems were measured with the help of SDQ (Strength & Difficulty Questionnaire); parental psychopathology was measured with DASS (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale) while child abuse and neglect was measured through CAS (Child Abuse Scale). Sample of the study includes 100 children (Age=8-13 years) and their parents through private schools of Islamabad/Rawalpindi. Findings revealed that there is significantly positive relationship between parental psychopathology and childhood behavioural problems while there was no relationship between child abuse and neglect and childhood behavioural problems. From the demographic variables, only maternal education came up to be a strong predictor for childhood behavioural problems. The findings of this research will set a room for more research in this domain.