Effect of maternal tolerance on behavioural problems in children with enuresis

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of maternal tolerance on behavioural problems in children with enuresis. Method: The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from January to November 2018 at the outpatient departments of three hospitals in Lahore and Sialkot district of the Punjab province in Pakistan. The sample comprised of mothers aged 23-50 years having children with enuresis visiting one public-sector tertiary-care hospital and two private-sector secondary-care hospitals. Data was collected using the Tolerance Scale and the Children Behavioural Questionnaire and was analysed using SPSS 21. Results: There were 80 mothers with a mean age of 34.53±4.89 years and as many children with a mean age of 8.16±2.36 years. Maternal intolerance was positively and significantly correlated with rule-breaking (p=0.02) and aggressive behaviour (p=0.01) in children with enuresis. Maternal intolerance was a significant and positive predictor of rule-breaking behaviour (p=0.02), aggressive behaviour (p=0.001) and attention problems (p=0.01) in the affected children. Conclusion: Maternal intolerance and hostile attitudes towards children with enuresis was seen to be leading to secondary behavioural and emotional difficulties.