BEHAVIOURAL AND EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS IN ORPHANS AND OTHER SUSCEPTIBLE CHILDREN STAYING IN ORGANIZED HOMES IN RAJASTHAN

Abstract

Orphans and other sensitive children and adolescents who are lovingly cared for and living in institutional homes are more prone to behavioral and emotional problems than others because they are deprived of the love and care of family. In India, there is a dearth of studies focusing on the psychological health of these children. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study to examine behavioral and emotional problems in these institutionalized children. The sample consisted of 292 orphans and foster care in institutional homes in Rajasthan. Sociodemographic data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire with an Impact Supplement was used to assess their behavioral and emotional problems. In our study, 49 out of 292 children and adolescents were found to have behavioral and emotional problems. Factors such as age, sex, reason for institutionalization, age of admission, and years of residence were all found to be significantly associated (P < 0.05) with emotional and behavioral problems. Behavioral problems (34.90%) were found to be the most common followed by peer problems (15.80%), emotional problems (14.70%), hyperactivity (8.60%) and low prosocial behavior (3.40%) ). This study shows that orphans and loving care in institutional homes are prone to behavioral and emotional problems. These children should be regularly screened for behavioral problems, emotional problems, hyperactivity and peer problems. Due to the lack of data in this regard, several multicenter studies are also needed to obtain an overall comprehensive view of these issues.