EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL-PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED BY CHILDREN LIVING IN SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES - A PILOT-STUDY

This study compared the prevalence of emotional and behavioural proble ms experienced by 10-11 year old and 14-15 year old children living in single-parent and two-parent families in South Australia. The 10-11 y ear old male children living in single-parent families were found to h ave significantly more emotional and behavioural problems than 10-11 y ear old male children living in two-parent families. In particular, th e younger male children living in single-parent families experienced m ore externalizing behaviour problems than younger male children living in two-parent families. It is suggested that paediatricians and gener al practitioners need to be aware of children who are at particular ri sk for developing emotional and behavioural problems, and the approach es which may be employed to provide help.