ABSTRACT
Objective@#To explore the emotional and behavioral problems of different only child and multiple child families, and to provide a reference for developing effective parenting styles.@*Methods@#A stratified random cluster sampling method was adopted to investigate 2 647 guardians of preschool children in Tongling City from April to June, 2022. Children s emotional and behavioral problems were evaluated by using the self designed parenting questionnaire and the Children s Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) parent edition.@*Results@#The abnormal total score detection rate of emotional and behavioral problems of preschool children was 15.5%, and the rate of abnormal peer interaction was the highest (19.5%). In multiple child families, the first born child (17.5%, 20.4%), compared with the second and third child (11.5%, 9.5%), was more likely to exhibit conduct and hyperactivity problems ( χ 2=8.44, 29.75, P <0.01). There were differences in parenting attitudes between only child and multiple child families( χ 2=9.38, P <0.05). The results of the Logistic regression analysis showed that more frequent parent child discussion, the persuasive education and consistent family discipline strategy were negatively related to the emotional and behavioral problems of only children and children in multiple child families ( OR =0.15, 0.49, 0.38; 0.34, 0.40, 0.42, P <0.05). However, harmonious family relationships were only negatively related to emotional and behavioral problems in only children ( OR =0.08, P <0.01), and a higher education level among mothers was negatively related to emotional and behavioral problems in children from multiple child family environments( OR=0.30, 0.45, P <0.05).@*Conclusion@#The emotional and behavioral problems are serious of preschool children in Tongling City, the psychological development of the oldest children from multiple child and only child families should be actively followed, as this would help to promote a better understanding of the development of preschool children s physical and mental health.