SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CORRELATES OF EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN IN PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT, KERALA

Children and adolescence with emotional problems exhibit chronic and diverse academic, behavioural and/or medical difficulties that pose significant challenges for their education and treatment in schools. Life is challenging for children with emotional problems and it is also challenging for their families, their schools, and their teachers. The present study was conducted to identify the risk factors of emotional problems among school children. A descriptive correlational design was adopted for the study. Multistage cluster sampling technique was used in the study. The schools were selected randomly and 500 school children between the ages of 13 ? 15 years were selected using systematic random sampling technique. Baseline proforma and Paediatric Symptom Checklist-Youth Self Report were used to collect data. Data analysis was done using frequency, percentage Chi-square tests and logistic regressions. Results revealed that estimated prevalence rate of emotional problems was 22 per hundred cases among school children in Pathanamthitta District. The factors in the school and family situations were highly influencing the emotional state of school children. The study concludes that the estimated prevalence rate of emotional problems was high among school children at Pathanamthitta District and the parents, teachers and health departments need to recognize emotional problems as a serious health problem, and need to develop effective school mental health programs to increase the awareness thereby bringing a holistic development among the children, who will be the future of the nation.