Karnataka, bangalore annexure II proforma for registration of subjects for dissertation

6.2 Review of literature

A study was conducted on behavioral problems among preschool children in Salem, India. The findings of the study reveals that, the level of behavioral problems among 50 preschool children of employed mothers, 33 (66%) of them had moderate behavioral problems and 17 (34%) of them had mild behavioral problems. Whereas among 50 preschool children of unemployed mothers, 11(22%) of them had moderate behavioral problems and 39(78%) of them had mild behavioral problems. The study findings shows that behavioral problems are found high among preschool children of employed mothers than the preschool children of unemployed mothers.³

The prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems among 1488 primary school children aged 5 to 11 years were studied in Karachi, Pakistan. Assessment of children’s mental health was conducted using Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The results show that 34.4% parents rated children as falling under the “abnormal category” on strength and difficulties questionnaire, 35.8% were reported by the teacher. The study concluded that there is a gender difference in prevalence. Boys had higher estimates of behavior / externalizing problems; where as emotional problems were more common amongst females. The study concluded that if parents are employed, the prevalence of behavior problems, were more in boys as well as girls⁹.

A study was conducted to analyze the effect of mother’s employment on cognitive outcomes of her children. A panel of children aged 4 to 15 are analyzed to explore the effect of maternal employment on a child’s mental health outcomes. Using ordinary least squares and fixed effects estimates, it was found that mothers who spend more time at home have children with fewer emotional problems, they scored lower behavioral problems index: they are also less likely to be frequently unhappy or depressed. In addition, children with mothers spending more time at home are less likely to hurt someone, stealing something, or skip school^10. An epidemiological study of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders was conducted in urban and rural areas of Bangalore, India. The results indicated a prevalence rate of 12.5 % among children aged less than 16 years. The psychiatric morbidity among less than 3 year old children was 13.8 % with the most common diagnosis being breath holding spells, pica, behavior disorder, expressive language disorder and mental retardation. The prevalence rate of psychiatric morbidity in the 4-16 year old children was 12%. Enuresis, specific phobia, hyperkinetic disorders, stuttering and oppositional defiant disorder were the most frequent diagnosis. Assessment of felt treatment needs indicated that only 37.5% of the families perceived that their children had any problem^11. A study was conducted on supporting system and certain behavioral problems in preschool children in Malappuram district in Kerala. It was conducted on a sample of 100 pre-school children of the age group of above four years, i.e. UKG students belonging to the different types of preschools. Comparison of behavior problems of boys and girls revealed no significant difference in between the two groups. The results favour the children of high-socio economic status with less behavior problems whereas the children of low –socio economic status were found to have the highest extent of behavior problems. Preschool children of non –working mothers were found to have more behavior problems than their counter part^12.