Posted
June, 2008
8-Year
Course of Behavioral/Emotional Problems Among Brazilian Children
Longitudinal
studies have revealed similar levels of continuity in behavioral/emotional
problems reported for children in several economically developed
countries. However, less is known about the continuity of
behavioral/emotional problems among children in developing
countries. The Brazilian Birth Cohort Study has provided one
of the few tests of the continuity of behavioral/emotional
problems reported for children in a developing country (Anselmi
et al., 2008). Starting with a birth cohort in the southern
Brazilian city of Pelotas, the study included assessment of
601 children with the CBCL at ages 4 and 12 years. The very
low attrition from the initial sample of 634 was accounted
for mainly by moves to remote areas without telephone access.
A variety of analyses like those done in Dutch and U.S. longitudinal
studies revealed predictive correlations and stability of
deviant scale scores very similar to those found in the Dutch
and U.S. cohorts. Predictive correlations over the 8 years
were highest for Total Problems (r = .42), Externalizing
(r = .42), Aggressive Behavior (r = .39), and
Attention Problems (r = .37). In logistic regression
analyses, deviant age 12 Total Problems scores were significantly
predicted by age 4 Rule-Breaking Behavior and Social Problems
scores. Deviant age 12 Internalizing scores were significantly
predicted by age 4 Somatic Complaints, Aggressive Behavior,
and socioeconomic status (SES). Age 4 Rule Breaking Behavior
scores also significantly predicted deviant age 12 Thought
Problems, Attention Problems, Rule-Breaking Behavior, and
Aggressive Behavior scores. Interestingly, age 4 Thought Problems
scores were strong predictors of deviant age 12 scores on
both the Withdrawn and Thought Problems syndromes. The authors
concluded that "The results are quite similar for continuity,
stability and predictability compared to those found in developed
countries, challenging the previous notion that living in
a developing country might determine a worse developmental
course of behavioral and emotional problems" (p. 505).
Reference:
Anselmi, L., Barros, F.C., Teodoro, M.L.M., Piccinini, C.A.,
Menezes, A.M.B., Araujo, C.L, & Rhode, L.A. (2008). Continuity
of behavioral and emotional problems from pre-school years
to pre-adolescence in a developing country. Journal of
Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 49, 499-507.
