Distinguishing between Consequences of Neglect and Poverty on Problem Behavior among Preschool Children
Distinguishing between Consequences of Neglect and Poverty on Problem Behavior among Preschool Children

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this study is to distinguish between consequences of neglect and poverty on problem behavior among preschool children. 72 children randomly chosen from the city of Granada (Andalucía, Spain), have been classified in three homogeneous groups according to demographic variables. Children in Group 1 (24 subjects) lived in slums (poverty) and suffered from neglect. Children in Group 2 lived in the same slums but did not suffer from neglect. Group 3 consisted of children from other neighborhoods of the city and did not suffer from neglect. Behavioral problems were evaluated with the Inventory for Client and Agency Planning (ICAP) behavioral problems scale. 50% of the subjects in Group1 (neglected children) showed internalized behavior problems, and 0% in groups 2 and 3. Also 46% of Group1 showed the externalized one, and 12.5% of Group 2 and 8% of Group 3. It is concluded that neglected pre-school children (1-5 years) showed many behavior problems, mainly internalized and also externalized. However, neither the non-neglected children from a socially deprived environment (poverty), nor the children from the control group showed behavior problems. As a result, we can relate the behavior problems to neglect and not to social status or sociocultural environment.

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