| dc.description.abstract | Mental disorders in childhood and adolescence have received greater attention over
the last few decades due to their early and persistent presentation, and many will
continue to present mental health problems (PSM) in adulthood, generating impactful
short and long time negative consequences on the functioning of these individuals with
disabilities heavy family, social, economic and public health. Scientific evidence shows
that between 10% and 20% of children will have some disorder or PSM throughout
their life cycle. Therefore, the objective of this research was to investigate predictors
of emotional and behavioral difficulties in a community sample of adolescents from São
Leopoldo/RS. This is a secondary analysis of a randomized field trial with children
recruited at birth at Hospital Centenário between October 2001 and July 2002 and who
were followed from then until age 13 years old. For this study, a longitudinal analysis
was performed (2001 to 2014) based on data collected at birth in the medical record
and on subsequent household collections when children were aged 6 months, 12-16
months, 4 years, 8 years and 13 years. Sociodemographic, maternal and perinatal
variables were obtained at 6 months and 12-16 months, anthropometric variables and
screen time at 4 and 8 years and at 13 years, 174 adolescents completed the Strengths
and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to assess the outcome. The results of child
weight, age and low maternal schooling and low socioeconomic conditions were
predictors of the outcome, which reinforces the importance of multidisciplinary actions
for prevention and early intervention in children's mental health. | en |
