Social-emotional problems among three-year-olds differ based on the child's gender and custody arrangement

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate mental health with respect to social-emotional problems among three-year-olds in relation to their gender, custody arrangements and place of residence. Methods: A cross-sectional population-based design was used, encompassing 7179 three-year-olds in northern Sweden during the period 2014–2017 from the regional Salut Register. Descriptive and comparative analyses were performed based on parents’ responses on the Ages and Stages Questionnaires: Social-Emotional, supplemented with items on gender, custody arrangement and place of residence. Results: Parental-reported social-emotional problems were found in almost 10% of the children. Boys were reported to have more problems (12.3%) than girls (5.6%; p < 0.001). Parents were most concerned about children's eating habits and interactions at mealtimes. Parents not living together reported more problems among their children than those living together (p < 0.001). When stratifying by custody arrangement, girls in rural areas living alternately with each parent had more problems compared to those in urban areas (p < 0.008). Conclusion: Gender and custody arrangements appear to be important factors for social-emotional problems among three-year-olds. Thus, such conditions should receive attention during preschool age, preferably by a systematic preventive strategy within Child Health Care.