Minder sociaal-emotionele problemen bij basisschoolkinderen

Objective

To determine how the prevalence of social-emotional problems developed among primary school children in Amsterdam between the school years 2009-2010 and 2015-2016, and to determine whether trends differ between boys and girls.

Design

Observational study.

Method

Parents of 5- and 10-year-old children in Amsterdam filled out the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for their child. This is a standard part of the preventive health check which is carried out by Youth Health Care (n = 64,143). Data were weighted for gender, ethnic origin and social economic status (SES) as determined by the postal code of the child. In order to determine trends in social-emotional behaviour, risk ratios were estimated using log-binomial regression analyses.

Results

The percentage 5- and 10-year-old children in Amsterdam with social-emotional problems decreased between 2009-2010 and 2015-2016, except for hyperactivity among 10-year-olds. Among 5-year-old children the decrease is most pronounced for peer relationship problems A gender difference was only found for the trend in conduct problems.

Conclusion

Social-emotional problems among 5- and 10-year-old children in Amsterdam are decreasing. In order to maintain these positive developments, it is important for the municipality to keep investing in the early detection of social-emotional problems in primary school children, and to address these problems accordingly. In order to gain more understanding about national trends regarding social-emotional problems, it is necessary to conduct more research using corresponding and valid measurement tools during successive measurement time points.

Conflict of interest and financial support: none declared.