Internalizing Problems, Externalizing Problems and Depression among Children under Institutional Care

By : G. Padmaja, B. Sushma, Swati Agarwal

Page No: 45-54

Abstract
There are many children who are without parental care in India. Studies estimate that there are about 44 million destitute children and over 12 million orphan and abandoned children in India. Some of the children who do not receive parental care adequately owing to several factors are placed under institutional care. The health needs of the children in institutions need to be addressed as they constitute vulnerable groups and are at high risk for childhood health problems as well as health problems in adulthood. The objectives of the study were to determine the level of internalizing problems viz., emotional symptoms, hyperactivity and externalizing problems viz. conduct and peer problems; and to explore the level of depression among institutionalised children. The study was an exploratory study, in which 40 children – 22 boys and 18 girls, who are institutionalised and are between the ages of 12 to 15 years, were included through purposive sampling. Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and Adolescent Well being scale were administered. Results show that among internalizing problems, level of emotional symptoms and level of hyperactivity were in the normal range. Among externalizing problems, conduct problems were above the normal range and peer problems were in the normal range. The level of well being was also below the normal score indicating low well being as well as probable depression among institutionalised children. Children under institutional care face many psychosocial problems and are at risk for poor health. Intervention at an earlier stage has greater impact on current and future good health and well being. Specifically, interventions that are aimed towards developing better coping strategies thereby reducing depression and conduct problems would help the children in better handling of the psychosocial problems they encounter.

Authors :
B. Sushma and Dr. G. Padmaja : Assistant Professors, Centre for Health Psychology, University of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
Swati Agarwal : Doctoral scholar at the Centre for Health Psychology.