1.Prevalence Of Emotional And Behavioral Problems Among Adolescence And Some Risk Factors In Mongolia
Bayarmaa Vanchindorj ; Batzorig Bayartsogt ; Guljanat Yerlan ; Altanzul Narmandakh ; Tuya Naidansuren ; Soyolmaa Batdelger ; Baatarjav Oidovnyam ; Chimedsuren Ochir ; Nasantsengel Lkhagvasuren
ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry 2017;18(2):51-64
Objectives: To determine emotional and behavioral problems among adolescents
and to define risk factors for these emotional and behavioral problems. Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among selected and qualified middle and
high school children, their parents and teachers. The “Strength and Difficulties
Questionnaire” (SDQ) were employed with the intention to measure psychosocial
problems and strengths [prosocial behavior] in children between the ages of 4-10
and adolescents ages 11-17, through a multi-informant methodology. The
questionnaire consists of 25 items equally divided across five scales measuring:
1) emotional symptoms; 2) conduct problems; 3) hyperactivity-inattention; 4)
peer problems; and 5) prosocial behavior. Except for the prosocial scale, the
combined scale [i.e. Total Score] reflects total difficulties, indicating the severity
and content of the psychosocial problems. The prosocial scale indicates the
amount of prosocial characteristics child displays. Results: In the SDQ
questionnaires answered by parents, we obtained the following scores: 27.4% for
emotional symptoms, 28.2% for conduct disorders, 20.4% for hyperactivity,
81.4% for interpersonal relationships, and 43.3% as the Total Score. In the SDQ
questionnaires answered by teachers, we obtained high scorings such as 8.9% for
emotional symptoms, 20.2% for conduct disorders, 13.4% for hyperactivity,
47.6% for interpersonal relationships and a Total Score of 33.4%. In the SDQ
questionnaires answered by the adolescents themselves, we obtained scorings
such as: 10.0% for emotional symptoms, 10.2% for conduct disorders, 18.8% for
hyperactivity, 14.6% for interpersonal relationships, and 16.3% as the Total
Score. Conclusion: Mongolian adolescents were found to have emotional and
behavioral problems as evidenced by the Total Scores of parents, i.e. 43.3%; by
teachers, 33.4%; and self-report 16.3%, respectively. The SDQ confirmed that
an adolescent’s age, gender, family environment and living areas will influence
their emotional and behavioral well-being.