Prevalence and domains of behavioral problems among elementary school children in Lucknow

Abstract

The present study investigated the prevalence, severity, and demographic variations of behavioral problems among elementary school children in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. A total of 125 students, aged 6-12 years, were assessed to explore the frequency of behavioral problem domains, severity levels, and their association with gender, age, and school type. The findings revealed that hyperactivity (52.0%), temper tantrums (44.8%), and misbehavior with others (40.0%) were the most commonly reported behavioral concerns, while self-injurious (8.0%) and antisocial behaviors (11.2%) were least frequent. In terms of severity, 44.0% of children were in the normal range, whereas 28.0% exhibited mild, 17.6% moderate, 7.2% severe, and 3.2% clinical levels of behavioral problems. Gender differences indicated that boys were more likely to display behavioral difficulties than girls, particularly externalizing behaviors, while age-wise analysis showed relatively higher behavioral concerns among 10-12-year-olds compared to 6-9-year-olds. The study highlights that behavioral problems in childhood are a significant concern across both private and government schools and cannot be overlooked. Early identification, school-based behavioral health programs, and parental involvement are essential for prevention and intervention. The findings provide important implications for educators, parents, and policymakers in promoting children’s psychological well-being.