Risk factors for behavioural and emotional disorders in children with mild intellectual disability

Abstract

Introduction: The current study investigated the prevalence and characteristics of behavioural and emotional disorders in children with mild intellectual disability, as well as the predictive potential of personal and socio-demographic factors. Objective: The main objective of this research was to determine the impact of socio-demographic and personal factors on the prevalence and types of emotional and behavioural disorders in children with mild intellectual disability. Methods: Non-experimental research was conducted on 311 children with mild intellectual disability, aged 9-18 years, who attended 8 special primary schools in central and south-west Serbia. For the assessment of psychopathology, we used the Child Behaviour Checklist - Teacher Report Form (CBCL-TRF), a checklist of problem behaviours in children aged 6-18 years. To collect data on socio-demographic status, we created a questionnaire about socio-economic factors and demographic indicators. The informants were classroom teachers. Results: An increased incidence of behavioural and emotional disorders was found in children with mild intellectual disability, compared to children of average intelligence. Both dimensions of psychopathology were significantly influenced by personal and socio-demographic variables, including child's age, gender, academic achievement, placement type, parental educational level and employment, as well as the structure and socio-economic status of the families. Conclusion: Children with intellectual disability are at increased risk of developing psychopathology, mostly within the dimension of adjustment and behavioural disorders. Risk factors include specific developmental and psychological characteristics and social learning difficulties, as well as a number of adverse socio-demographic factors.