A Study of Behavioural and Temperamental Problems in Pre-School Children

To determine the prevalence of Temperamental and Behavioural problems in pre-school children and to assess the nature of these problems and their relationship with socio-demographic variables in the schools of Jaipur. A specially designed Performa including the Socio-Demographic data, Pre-School Behaviour Checklist (PBCL) by Richman & Graham (1971) and Temperament Scale of Developmental Psychopathology (DPCL) by Malvika Kapur, Uma H & Girimaje S. R. (1992). was sent to the parents of 300 children between the age group of 3 to 5 years from various schools of Jaipur These children were studying in LKG, UKG, Prep.. Data was analysed by both parametric and non parametric statistics. Deviant behaviours of PBCL were reported in 68(36%) in children. High DPCL scores 65(34%) reported in children. Male children (73%) have more temperamental deviant behaviours as compared to deviant behaviours on PBCL (19%). Deviant behaviours on temperament scale of DPCL were also higher in children who were either first child 19(46%) or last child 44(41%) or only child 28(27%). (x2 =4.1405, p>0.5). Occupation of the mother was found to influence the development of deviant behaviours (71%) on both the scales. Pre-School children do suffer from a high prevalence of behaviour and temperament problems. The existing familial, social and cultural norms directly or indirectly influence the psychosocial development of the child. Thus, it is necessary to have a congenial family environment.