Emotional and behavioural problems of orphan and non-orphan adolescents

Abstract

Behavioural and Emotional problems of Orphan and Non-Orphan Adolescents were studied on a sample of 200 adolescents (100 orphans and 100 non-orphans) who were in the age range of 11 to 17 years. Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire developed by Goodman (1997) was used to study the behavioural and emotional problems perceived by adoelscents and PY1-Parent Report Measure for Youth aged 11y-17y developed by Goodman (1997) was used to study the perception of Parent/caretaker on adolescent’s behavioural and emotional problems. The study was conducted in the Vishakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh. Results revealed a significant difference between the number and type of emotional and behavioural problems perceived by orphan and non-orphan adolescents where orphans exhibited high total difficulty score than non-orphans. Perception of caretakers and parents differed significantly with the perceptions of orphans and non-orphans on emotional and behavioural problems. Period of stay in Orphange was strongly correlated with emotional symptoms, conduct problems and peer problems in case of orphans.