A Comparative Study to assess the behavioral problems of school children among three generation family and nuclear family in selected community, Thrissur

 

Anumol P. R1, Shirley Prakash2, Drisya G3

1Master of Science in Child Health Nursing, Westfort College of Nursing, Thrissur.

2Principal, Westfort College of Nursing, Thrissure.

3Child Health Nursing, Westfort College of Nursing, Thrissur.

*Corresponding Author Email: anusibi2012@gmail.com

 

ABSTRACT:

A comparative study to assess the behavioral problems of school children among three generation family and nuclear family in selected community, Thrissur. The objectives of the study were to assess the behavioral problems of school children among three generation family and nuclear family, compare the behavioral problems of school children among three generation family and nuclear family and associate the behavioral problems of school children with their selected demographic variables. The conceptual framework utilized in this study was Ludwig Von Bertalanffy General System Theory. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the samples. The participants were 100 children in the age group of 6-10 years, out of which, 50 were in three generation family and 50 were in nuclear family who fulfilled the inclusion criteria at Thrikkur Panchayath, Thrissur. The tool consisted of structured questionnaire to collect demographic data include age of child, gender, religion, occupation of father, occupation of mother, number of siblings, birth order of the child and modified behavior rating scale of Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) and Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI) was used to assess the behavioral problem of children. Reliability and validity of the tool was established. The pilot study was done for 10 subjects and found to be feasible. The main study was conducted from 10th February to 7th March 2020.The study findings revealed that in three generation family majority 92% of children had no behavioral problems and only 8% of children had mild behavioral problems. While in nuclear family, 36% of children had no behavioral problems, 52% of children had mild behavioral problems and 12% of children had moderate behavioral problems. The mean score of the behavioral problems in three generation family and in nuclear family was 19.80 and 56.54 respectively. Comparison of behavioral problems, p value of behavioral problem was 0.000 which was less than 0.05 (p value < 0.05). These findings revealed a significant difference in the behavioral problem of school children among three generation family and nuclear family. Association of behavioral problems of school children with their demographic variables revealed that there was an association of behavioral problems of school children with occupation of mother in three generation family.

 

KEYWORDS: Behavioral problems, School children, Three generation family, Nuclear family.

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Children are mirrors of a nation, our future and our most precious resources. In a complex and dynamic society, children must learn not only to cope with current demands, but also to prepare for many unexpected events in their tomorrows as they grow. Everything that they see will impress them, so we have to make them to do best in the future.

 

Infancy and childhood are of paramount importance in determining and patterning the longer term behavior and character of the youngsters. Childhood is the period of dependency. Gradually children learn to regulate within the environment. But when, there’s any complexity around them they can’t adjust with those circumstances. Then they are unable to behave in a socially acceptable way and develop behavioral changes with them.1

 

School children are the vulnerable segment of the nation’s population. Children in the age group of 5 to 16 years constitute 30% of the total population. Children undergo a dynamic period of the physical, mental, emotional, and social changes. These changes influence the child's overall development, specifically the academic and social outcomes.2 Therefore; school-going children are susceptible groups for psychiatric disorders especially behavioral problems. Behavioral problems can occur in children of all ages and very often start early in life.3

 

Every society or social organization is characterized by the basic and essential unit i.e. family. Families are the first and may be the most crucial socializing unit in any person’s life. Families’ present structural and internal dynamics that may contribute to either risk or protective outcomes in terms of child development. Traditionally families in India have been classified as joint families, three generation families and nuclear families. Joint families consist of one or more married couples residing with their children and other close relatives, such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles, all in one home. A nuclear family structure, which is becoming increasingly common, constitutes a single married couple and their children. The three generation family system constitutes grandparents, parents and children. The structural differences between the joint family and the nuclear family lead to different interaction pattern among members of the family types.4

 

NEED AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:

Normal children are healthy, happy and well-adjusted. This adjustment is developed by providing basic emotional needs along with physical and physiological needs for his/her mental well-being. The children depend on their parents, so parents are responsible for fulfillment of the emotional needs. Every child should have tender loving care and sense of security about protection from the parent and family. Parents especially mothers should be aware about achievements of their children.1

 

According to National Survey of Children’s Health, 2018, to understand about mental disorders and their   treatment received. The report showed that 7.4% of children aged 3-17 years (approximately 4.5 million) have diagnosed behavioral problems. More than 5 in 10 children (53.5%) aged 3-17 years with behavioral disorders received treatment. Behavior problems are more common among children aged 6–11 years than younger or older children. Among children aged 2-8 years, boys were more likely than girls to have a mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder. Family, community, and healthcare factors are related to children’s mental health.5

 

According to ICMR, the prevalence rate of behavioral problems is 43.1%, 14.5% conduct disorder, 29.7% attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, 12.5% emotional disorder, 7.1% scholastic disorders, 2% adjustment disorder, 9.5% pervasive developmental disorder.6

 

The investigator during her experience analyzed that there are lots of behavioral problem seen in school children in the age group of 6-10 years. Many factors are affecting the behavior problems especially type of family. Family and family members are the most important peoples in young children’s lives. Families assume critical roles that significantly affect children’s well-being and development. The investigator felt the need of conducting this study to find out the relationship of behavioral problems of school children and type of family. 

 

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

A comparative study to assess the behavioral problems of school children among three generation family and nuclear family in selected community, Thrissur.

 

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

·       Assess the behavioral problems of school children among three generation family and nuclear family.

·       Compare the behavioral problems of school children among three generation family and nuclear family.

·       Associate the behavioral problems of school children with their selected demographic variables.

 

OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS:

Behavioral problems:  In this study, it refers to the behavioral problems exhibited by the children with respect to habits, emotional problems, learning Problems, attention problems, conduct disorder, social problems, which is measured using the information given by the mother based on Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) and Eyberg child behavior inventory (ECBI).

 

Three generation family: In this study, it refers to the family with grandparents, parents and children who live in the same household.

Nuclear family:  In this study, it refers to the family with parents and their children living in the household.

School children: In this study, it refers to children in the age group of 6-10 years.

 

HYPOTHESIS:

·       H1: There is a significant difference in the behavioral problems of school children among three generation family and nuclear family.

·       H2: There is a significant association between the behavioral problems of school children   with selected demographic variables. 

 

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK:

The conceptual framework for this study is based on Ludwig Von Bertalanffy General System Theory.

 

REVIEW OF LITERATURE:

The review of literature of this study has been organized and presented under the following headings.

·       Behavioral problems among school children

·       Prevalence of behavioral problems among school children

·       Comparison of behavioral problems of school children among three generation family and nuclear family

·       Impact of family on the behavior of school children

 

METHODS AND MATERIAL:

Research approach:

Quantitative research approach

 

Research design:

Comparative research design

 

Variables:

Dependent variable:

Behavioral problems of children

 

Independent variable:

Three generation family and nuclear family

 

Setting of the study: 

At Community area of Thrikkur Panchayath, Thrissur.

 

Population:

Population of the study included school children in the age group of 6-10 years at Thrikkur Panchayath, Thrissur.

 

Sample size:

The sample consisted of 100 school children in three generation family and nuclear family in the age group of 6-10 years.

 

Sampling technique:

 Purposive sampling technique was used.

 

Inclusion Criteria:

·       Children in the age group of 6-10 years who belong to the three generation family or nuclear family.

·       Mothers of children who can read English or Malayalam.

·       Children living with both the parents.

·       Children without any physical and mental disabilities.

 

Exclusion Criteria:

·       Mothers of children who were not willing to participate in the study.

 

Tool/Instrument:

Development/selection of tool:

The investigator obtained the tool from the extensive review of literature, with the guidance of experts and the investigator’s personal experience. The tool consisted of structured questionnaire to assess the behavioral problems of school children among three generation family and nuclear family.

 

Description of tool:

The two consisted of two parts

Section A: Structured questionnaire to collect demographic data. It consist of demographic variables such as age of child, gender, religion, occupation of father, occupation of mother, number of siblings, birth order of the child.

 

Section B: Behavior rating scale to assess the behavioral problem of children. The questionnaire consists of questions related to the behavioral problems of children. This section comprised of forty five items relating to behavioral problems of school children. The parents were asked to indicate their response by putting (√) mark against each statement often they felt or thought in a certain way. Each parameter had five ratings such as always, often, sometimes, seldom, never with score 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 respectively. Total score was 180.

 

Scoring:

Always-4, Often -3, Sometimes -2, Seldom -1, Never -0.

The lowest score was 45 that means there was no behavioral problems and the highest score was 180 which show severe level of behavioral problems.

 

Score

Behavioral problems

<45

No behavioral problems

46-90

Mild level behavioral problems

91-135

Moderate level behavioral problems

136-180

severe level behavioral problems

 

Pilot study:

Pilot study was conducted among 10 children, 5 were from three generation family and other 5 from nuclear family. Reliability of tool was done by inter-observer reliability and was found to be 0.99. So the tool was found to be highly reliable.

 

Data collection process:

After maintaining the ethical aspect of the study, the investigator obtained permission from the setting to conduct the main study. The main study was conducted in selected community area in Thrikkur Panchayath, Thrissur from 10/2/2020-10/3/2020. The investigator obtained permission from the principal, Ethical Committee and Institutional Review Board and also from the Panchayath President of Thrikkur for conducting the study. Hundred samples were selected by purposive sampling technique, fifty from three generation family as comparison group I and fifty from nuclear family as comparison group II. Informed consent was taken from samples who were participating in the study and confidentiality was maintained. Demographic variables were collected by using demographic data collection tool. A behavioral problem of the children was assessed by using modified behavior rating scale.

 

Statistical analysis used:

The data was subjected to analysis using statistical package for social science (SPSS). The collected data were tabulated and analyzed by using both descriptive and inferential statistics based on the hypothesis.

Ř Descriptive statistics:

·       Frequency and percentage distribution of samples based on the demographic variables.

·       Frequency and percentage distribution, Standard deviation of behavioral problems.

 

Ř Inferential Statistics:

·       Unpaired t test was used to compare the behavioral problems of school children among three generation family and nuclear family.

·       Chi square to find the association of behavioral problems among school children among  three generation family and nuclear family

 

RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

Section 1: Description of demographic characteristics of the subjects.

 

Table 1: Frequency and percentage distribution of school children based on demographic variables

SI No

DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLE

THREE GENERATION FAMILY

NUCLEAR FAMILY

 

Frequency (n)

Percentage (%)

Frequency (n)

Percentge (%)

1

Age:

6-8

8-10

 

29

21

 

58

42

 

28

22

 

56

44

2

Gender:

Male

Female

 

21

29

 

42

58

 

21

29

 

42

58

3

Religion:

Hindu

Christian

Muslim

others

 

15

33

2

0

 

30

66

4

0

 

28

22

0

0

 

56

44

0

0

4

Occupation of father:

Government

Private

Self

others

 

0

28

22

0

 

0

56

44

0

 

4

13

33

0

 

8

26

66

0

5

Occupation of mother

Government

Private

Self

Housewife

 

0

6

6

38

 

0

12

12

76

 

0

4

6

40

 

0

8

12

80

6

Birth order of the child:

First

Second

Third

Fourth

 

31

16

3

0

 

62

32

6

0

 

26

18

5

1

 

52

36

10

2

7

Number of siblings:

one

Two

More than 2

No siblings

 

25

18

1

6

 

50

36

2

12

 

26

17

4

3

 

52

34

8

6

Regarding the age of children, majority 29(58%) and 28(56%) children were belongs to the age group of 6-8 years in three generation family and nuclear family. While in the age group of 8-10 years 21(42%) children were from three generation family and 22(44%) of children were from nuclear family.

 

The study consists of more female children when compared with male children. Among children, 21(42%) children were male and 29(58%) children were female in both families.

 

About the religion of children in three generation family majority 33(66%) children were Christians and only 2(4%) children were Muslims. Whereas in nuclear family 28(56%) children were Hindus and 22(44%) children were Christians.

 

Considering the occupation of father in three generation family majority 28(56%) fathers had private job whereas in nuclear family majority 33(66%) fathers had self-job. In nuclear family only 4(8%) fathers had government job.

 

Regarding the occupation of mother majority 38(76%) and 40(80%) in both three generation family and nuclear family were house wife.

 

About the birth order of the child in both three generation family and in nuclear family, greater percentages of children were first born that is 31(62%) and 26(52%)  respectively. In nuclear family only 1 (2%) children were fourth born child.

 

Considering the number of siblings in both three generation family and nuclear family. Majority of children had only one sibling 25(50%) and 26(52%) respectively. Where as in both type family 1(2%) and 4(8%) children had more than 2 siblings.

 

Section 2: Assessment of behavioral problems of school children among three generation family and nuclear family.

 

Figure 1: Frequency and percentage of behavioral problem of school children

Figure 1 depicts that in three generation family majority 46(92%) children had no behavioral problems and only 4(8%) children had mild behavioral problems. Whereas in nuclear family 18(36%) children had no behavioral problems, 26(52%) children had mild behavioral problems and 6(12%) of children had moderate behavioral problems.

 

The finding was congruent with the result of the comparative study to assess the impact of family structure, family environment and technology exposure on the behavior of children at pre primary stage done by Kauts and Kaur. According to this study total 400 students from four schools of Jalandhar city (India) were selected on the basis of their family structure, reputation and socio-economic status as the sample for the study. Family environment scale was used to measure the family environment of the students. The findings of the study reveals that children living in joint families show better behavior and have less behavioral problems than children living in nuclear families. Child behavior is better in families with good family environment than in families with poor family environment. Children belonging to joint family and poor family environments and who were more exposed to technology were found to have more problems than children belonging to good family environment with less exposure to technology in joint as well as nuclear families.7

 

Section 3: Comparison of behavioral problems of school children among three generation family and nuclear family.

Score of behavioral        ‘t’ value      p value               Inference

Problems

Three generation family  

                                           -6.759         0.000**                      S

Nuclear family

**at 1% significance level, S- Significant

 

In this table, p value score of behavioral problem was 0.000 which was less than 0.05 (p value < 0.05). This indicates that there was a significant difference in the behavioral problems of school children among three generation family and nuclear family.

 

The association  of  behavioral problems of children with their demographic variables using chi-square. The results revealed that there was an association of behavioral problems of school children with occupation of mother in three generation family. Hence the hypothesis H2 stated earlier that there is a significant association between the selected demographic variables with behavioral problems of children was accepted in three generation family but rejected in nuclear family.

 

Section 4: Association of behavioral problems of school children among three generation family and nuclear family.

Si No

Demographic

Variable

Three generation family

Nuclear family

Fisher’s exact test value

P value

Inference

Fishers exact test value

P value

Inference

1

Age

-

0.297

NS

2.091

0.349

NS

2

Gender

-

0.297

NS

4.589

0.118

NS

3

Religion

2.012

0.404

NS

0.611

0.783

NS

4

Occupation of father

-

0.621

NS

3.768

0.421

NS

5

Occupation of mother

6.653

0.038*

S

1.117

1

NS

6

Birth order of the child

4.203

0.078

NS

4.169

0.736

NS

7

Number of siblings

6.967

0.067

NS

6.852

0.282

NS

*0.05 level of significance, NS – Not Significant, S- Significant

 

These findings were supported by another study which examined to assess the behavioral problems of children among mothers living in nuclear and joint family at selected areas in Bangalore. The result showed that overall comparison of nuclear and joint family mother’s knowledge scores on behavioral problems shows that the mean score of nuclear family participants (109.120) with a standard deviation of 6.32 is found high when compared to the mean score of the joint family participants (96.24) with a standard deviation of 3.23. Hence,‘t’ value was 12.83 which is significant at 5% level. So the study was concluded by the mothers are having knowledge regarding behavioral disorder. There was a significant association between knowledge regarding reactive attachment disorder and the demographic variable that is area of residence of working mothers.8

 

CONCLUSION:

Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions were drawn. The study revealed that comparison of behavioral problems, p value of behavioral problem was 0.000 which was less than 0.05 (p value < 0.05). This indicates that there was a significant difference in the behavioral problem of school children among three generation family and nuclear family. Thus, the H1 stated earlier that there was a significant difference between the behavioral problems of school children among three generation family and nuclear family was accepted.

 

The study revealed that there was an association between occupations of mothers with the behavioral problems of their children in three generation family. Hence the hypothesis H2 stated earlier indicate that there is a significant association between the selected demographic variables with the behavioral problems of children was accepted in three generation family but rejected in nuclear family.

 

LIMITATION:

1.     The study was limited to the children with the age group of 6-10 years.

2.     The study restricted the generalization as the sample size was small, the study could have been better, when large sample are used.

3.     The study was limited to assess and compare the behavioral problems of children.

4.     The study was conducted only in one setting.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1.     Studies can be conducted on an experimental basis, which will be more useful for the society.

2.     A comparative study can be conducted to assess the knowledge and attitude of mothers regarding behavioral problems.

3.     Use of randomized control trail studies to support the use of cognitive behavioral interventions.

4.     More researches can be conducted at larger magnitude on a longitudinal perspective.

5.     A future study can be conducted in other setting.

 

REFERENCE:

1    Dutta P. Pediatric Nursing. 2nd ed. Jaypee Publishers;P.186

2.   Available from:URL:https//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books.nbk216770

3.   OzdemirA, Utkaulp N, PallopA.Physical and psychological effects of changes in adolescent period. Int J caring sci.org/doc/39-Ozdemir-special9-2-pdf.

4.   Family and family structure available from: URL:https://shodhaganga.inflibnet.ac.in

5.   Data and statistics on children mental health. Available from:URL: https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/data.html

6.   Nithya S. effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge and attitude regarding selected behavioral problems of primary school children among primary school teachers. Available from: https://repository-tnmgru.ac.in/519/1/3002279.nithyas.pdf.

7.   Kauts A, Kaur B. A study of children’s behavior in relation to family environment and technology exposure on the behavior of children at pre primary stage. Available from: URL: https://www.mierjs.in /ojs/index.php/article/12

8    Sathya M.A, Ananthi. A comparative study to assess the behavioural problems of children among mothers in nuclear family and joint family at selected areas in Bangalore. Available from:URL:https://www.localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/9053

 

 

 

 

Received on 17.03.2021         Modified on 20.06.2021

Accepted on 29.08.2021   ©A&V Publications All right reserved

Asian J. Nursing Education and Research. 2022; 12(1):86-91.

DOI: 10.52711/2349-2996.2022.00018