Predicting school-age behavior problems: the role of early childhood risk factors.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the impact of early childhood risk factors on school-age child behavior. Identifying the relationships of risk factors in early childhood contributing to behavior problems in school age-children can effectively target interventions during pediatric primary care encounters.


METHODS
An 8-year longitudinal, retrospective secondary analysis using a sample of children (N = 721) from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79).


RESULTS
A logistic regression model prediction was significant (R2 = 0.62, p < .001) though modest with overall behavior problems predicted at 62.5% with sensitivity problems. Adjusted odds ratios indicate a young boy with a difficult temperament was two times more likely to have behavior problems at school age. The same boy with a less able mother was eight times more likely to have problem behavior at school age.


CONCLUSIONS
There are significant risk factors in early childhood that predict school-age behavior problems even in a non-clinical sample. All families deserve ongoing behavioral screening and assessment.
Magee
Tracy
T
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing, Chicago, IL, USA.
Sister Callista Roy
D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D002657:Child Development; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D010371:Pediatric Nursing; D011159:Population Surveillance; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013694:Temperament; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology