Psychological and behavioral problems and related influencing factors in school-age twins / 中国当代儿科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the influencing factors for psychological and behavioral problems in school-age twins and to provide a basis for reducing the incidence of these problems.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The psychological and behavioral problems were assessed in 147 pairs of twins aged 6-12 years in Huhhot, China, using the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). The Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales and Family General Condition Questionnaire were used to collect data.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The overall detection rate of psychological and behavioral problems in these children was 24.1%; the detection rate of thought problems (15.3%) was the highest, and the detection rate of physical discomforts (3.4%) was the lowest. According to the multiple logistic regression analysis, full-term birth or not was significantly associated with withdrawn behavior and total score on the CBCL (P<0.05); temperament type was significantly associated with thought problems and overall detection rate of psychological and behavioral problems (P<0.05); father's child-bearing age was significantly associated with thought problems (P<0.05); family cohesion was significantly associated with discipline violation (P<0.05); family adaptability was significantly associated with thought problems (P<0.05); family rearing patterns were significantly associated with socialization problems (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Children's temperament type, full-term birth or not, father's child-bearing age, family cohesion, family adaptability, and family rearing patterns are the main influencing factors for the psychological and behavioral problems in school-age twins.</p>