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Trends in Bullying and Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties Among Pakistani Schoolchildren: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Seven Cities.

ABSTRACT: Background: Bullying and peer victimization among adolescents are growing public health concerns that affect victims' emotional well-being, and their social and academic functioning. Despite concerns about this public health epidemic in low- and middle-income countries, most prevalence, policy and intervention studies have been conducted in developed countries and economies. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2016 and July 2017 at seven public and private schools located in five districts in Pakistan: Lodhran, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Multan, Thatta, and Nawabshah. A total of 2,315 schoolchildren were surveyed with a specially designed instrument in Urdu with items about demographics and bullying behavior, together with a strengths and difficulties questionnaire. Results: Mean age of the respondents was 14.63 (2.87) years. More than half of the respondents were males (n = 1301, 56.2%), and a majority reported that their mothers were housewives (n = 2,100, 90.7%). A total of 615 (26.6%) respondents reported being bullied at school, and 415 (17.9%) reported being bullied away from school. Perpetration of bullying was reported by 430 (18.6%) participants at school and 376 (16.3%) away from school. Being bullied in the past was strongly associated with becoming a perpetrator of bullying in the future. Internalizing symptoms were significantly associated with male gender, older age, being a victim of bullying, and employment status of the respondent's mother. Externalizing symptoms were significantly associated with male gender, older age, being a victim and perpetrator of bullying, and mother's employment status. Conclusion: Bullying perpetrators have a greater tendency to exhibit externalizing symptoms, whereas victims develop both externalizing and internalizing psychopathologies.

SUBMITTER: Naveed S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6978956 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:ImportanceSleep disturbances and mental health problems are highly comorbid and bidirectionally correlated across childhood. The association between the natural history of sleep disturbances and the transition of mental health problems has not been quantified.ObjectiveTo examine the association between the natural history of sleep disturbances and resolved and incident emotional and behavioral difficulties (EBDs).Design, setting, and participantsThis cohort study used data from the Shanghai Children's Health, Education and Lifestyle Evaluation-Preschool (SCHEDULE-P), a prospective and population-based longitudinal cohort study of children enrolled in preschools in Shanghai, China, from November 10 to 24, 2016. A total of 20 324 children aged 3 to 4 years were recruited from the junior class of 191 kindergartens, of whom 17 233 (84.8%) participated in the 2-year follow-up. A multilevel regression model was used to evaluate the association between the development of sleep disturbances and the occurrence of resolved and incident EBDs. The data analysis spanned from August 4, 2021, to October 31, 2023.ExposuresSleep disturbances were assessed using the Children's Sleep Habit Questionnaire; EBDs were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.Main outcomes and measuresOccurrence of incident and resolved EBDs at the 2-year follow-up.ResultsThe cohort included 17 182 participants, with a mean (SD) age of 3.73 (0.29) years at enrollment; 52.0% were boys. The prevalence of EBDs at school entry and graduation years was 27.8% and 18.7%, respectively, while the prevalence of sleep disturbances was 41.3% and 31.5%, respectively. Among those with EBDs at the entry year, 35.0% maintained stability in the graduation year, while sleep disturbances were stable in 50.0% of those with sleep disturbances. After controlling for confounding factors, the odds ratio (OR) for resolved EBDs was lower in the incident sleep disturbance (ISD) group (OR, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.41-0.62]; P < .001) and stable sleep disturbance (SSD) group (OR, 0.47 [95% CI, 0.40-0.56]; P < .001) compared with the group with no sleep disturbances. The ORs for incident EBDs among the ISD group (OR, 2.58 [95% CI, 2.22-3.01]; P < .001) and SSD group (OR, 2.29, [95% CI, 1.98-2.64]; P < .001) were higher than among the group with no sleep disturbances.Conclusions and relevanceIn this prospective cohort study, the natural history of sleep disturbances among preschool-aged children was associated with both resolved and incident EBDs. Routine screening and precise intervention for sleep disturbances may benefit the psychosocial well-being of this population.

Project description:Introduction Understanding parents’ and children’s mental health issues would help design population-specific intervention programs. The present study explored parents’ perceived stress and child emotions and behavior during the COVID-19 lockdown among Sri Lankan families. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Sri Lankan parents of children aged 11 to 17 years. Validated instruments (Perceived Stress Scale-PSS and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire-SDQ) evaluated parental stress, child emotions, and hyperactivity/inattention. Multiple linear regression assessed the predictors of mental health issues, including the interaction between age and gender. Results Three hundred fifty-five parents responded to the survey (mothers:76%). One-third of parents experienced difficulties with their children during the pandemic. Emotions and hyperactivity-inattention problems measured via the SDQ scale were high among 38% of children, while the perceived stress was high in 79.2% of parents. Overall, child emotions and hyperactivity-inattention increased with decreasing age, increasing parent stress, having middle-income compared to high-income, and having a family member/close relative tested positive for COVID-19. Hyperactivity-inattention (29.3%) was more than the emotional problems (22%) among children. The emotional problems were reported more with increasing parent stress, while child hyperactivity-inattention alone was reported more with decreasing age, middle-income compared to high-income families, and increasing parent stress. Also, the interaction effect of age and gender indicated that higher age was related to greater parent-reported hyperactivity-inattention problems in males. Conclusions The findings highlight how the COVID-19 crisis and social isolation have contributed to increased parental stress and child emotional and hyperactivity-inattention problems. In addition to cautioning the healthcare workers, socio-culturally appropriate preventive and supportive mental health programs may help deal with further waves of COVID-19 or any other adverse circumstances.

Project description:Background Schools have been increasingly employing dance movement psychotherapists to support children cope with daily worries and stress, express and understand their emotions, develop self-awareness and self-esteem. However, evidence on the impact of dance movement psychotherapy as a tool for prevention of mental health difficulties in childhood remains limited. Methods Sixteen children (aged 7–9) with mild emotional and behavioral difficulties from two primary schools were randomly assigned to a Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP) intervention or to a waiting list, within a larger pilot cross-over randomized controlled study which aimed to (a) test whether all elements of study design can work together and run smoothly in a full-scale RCT; and (b) investigate the effectiveness of arts therapies in improving children’s health related quality of life (HRQOL; EQ-5D-Y), wellbeing and life functioning (Child Outcome Rating Scale; CORS), emotional and behavioral difficulties (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire; SDQ), and duration of sleep (Fitbits). The therapeutic process was also evaluated through interviews with children, participant observations, the Children’s Session Rating Scale (CSRS), and ratings of adherence to the therapeutic protocol. Results The findings indicated that DMP led to improvements in children’s life functioning, wellbeing, duration of sleep, emotional and behavioral difficulties, but not in quality of life. The improvements were maintained at the follow-up stages, up to 6 months post-intervention. Interviews with children also suggested positive outcomes, such as self-expression; emotional regulation; mastery and acceptance of emotions; improved self-confidence and self-esteem; reduced stress; and development of positive relationships. However, children would have preferred smaller groups and longer sessions. Conclusion This study indicated that all outcome measures would be suitable for inclusion in a larger randomized controlled trial, though the EQ-5D-Y is not recommended as a stand-alone measure due to its lack of sensitivity and specificity for young participants. The adherence to the therapeutic protocol ratings differed between children and adults, highlighting the need to include children’s voice in future research. Strategies are also proposed of how to conduct randomization of participants in ways that do not hinder the therapeutic process.

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Trends in Bullying and Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties Among Pakistani Schoolchildren: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Seven Cities.

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