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Stage-related behavioural problems in the 1-4 year old child: Parental expectations in a child development unit referral group compared with a control group
R. L. TICEHURST MB, BS,
R. L. HENRY MB, BS FRACP,
Corresponding Author
R. L. TICEHURST MB, BS
Child Development Unit, Hamilton, New South Wales, Australia
Dr R. Ticehurst, Child Development Unit, Cnr Parry St & Stewart Ave, Hamilton, NSW 2303, Australia.Search for more papers by this authorR. L. HENRY MB, BS FRACP
Senior Lecturer in Paediatrics
Child Development Unit, Hamilton, New South Wales, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorR. L. TICEHURST MB, BS,
R. L. HENRY MB, BS FRACP,
Corresponding Author
R. L. TICEHURST MB, BS
Child Development Unit, Hamilton, New South Wales, Australia
Dr R. Ticehurst, Child Development Unit, Cnr Parry St & Stewart Ave, Hamilton, NSW 2303, Australia.Search for more papers by this authorR. L. HENRY MB, BS FRACP
Senior Lecturer in Paediatrics
Child Development Unit, Hamilton, New South Wales, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Abstract Behavioural problems in preschool (1-4 years) children are a common cause of referral to health services. Parents of children presenting to the child development unit with behavioural problems (n= 18) were compared with a control group (n= 45). A questionnaire was utilized to examine the parents’expectations of the children's behaviours.
As might be expected, the parents of children presenting to the Unit rated their children as having more difficult behaviours. These parents had unrealistic expectations, particularly for the ‘negative’behaviours (disobedience, temper tantrums, defiance and whinging). However, they were able to anticipate normal age-related difficulties in some problem areas (dawdling during mealtimes, masturbating, not sharing toys and being jealous of one's siblings).
Counselling should address the issue of matching the expectations of parents with the individual rates of development of their children.
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