[The development of mixed emotional and behavioral disorders in children raised in foster care institutions]

Medicina (Kaunas). 2002;38(7):759-68.
[Article in Lithuanian]

Abstract

The aim of the work was to evaluate the changes brought by time in the psychoemotional state of neglected and abandoned children (exhibiting disturbed social relations), which were displayed in childrens' behavior. The longitudinal research has been carried out by the epidemiological case-control scheme. Two groups of children were examined. During the first test the study group was formed by 70 (44 boys and 26 girls) neglected and abandoned children drew up from foster care institutions. The control group was adequate in age and sex to the study group. It included 70 (44 boys and 26 girls) children from traditional families. The second test was carried out two was years later. It was applied to the same groups of children, only this time 50 (32 boys and 18 girls) children from the study and from the control group were tested. Mixed psychoemotional and behavioral disorders were evaluated by experts (teachers from foster care institutions, nurseries and schools) who applied the scale of indicators. The results gave evidence of psychoemotional problems in the neglected and abandoned children growing up in foster care institutions: they were nervous, exhibited aggression, difficulties in their education emerge. The behavior and emotions shape themselves in frustration and depression. These disorders tend to grow and become more serious in the course of time, social behavior deviations and social health development disorders emerged. The psychoemotional health development of neglected and abandoned children evoked difficulties in their psychological adaptation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Affective Symptoms / etiology*
  • Age Factors
  • Child
  • Child Behavior Disorders / etiology*
  • Child, Abandoned / psychology*
  • Child, Institutionalized / psychology*
  • Emotions
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sex Factors