Author(s): Shanya Pandey and Shalini Agarwal

Abstract:

The present study investigated the prevalence, severity, and demographic variations of behavioral problems among elementary school children in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. A total of 125 students, aged 6-12 years, were assessed to explore the frequency of behavioral problem domains, severity levels, and their association with gender, age, and school type. The findings revealed that hyperactivity (52.0%), temper tantrums (44.8%), and misbehavior with others (40.0%) were the most commonly reported behavioral concerns, while self-injurious (8.0%) and antisocial behaviors (11.2%) were least frequent. In terms of severity, 44.0% of children were in the normal range, whereas 28.0% exhibited mild, 17.6% moderate, 7.2% severe, and 3.2% clinical levels of behavioral problems. Gender differences indicated that boys were more likely to display behavioral difficulties than girls, particularly externalizing behaviors, while age-wise analysis showed relatively higher behavioral concerns among 10-12-year-olds compared to 6-9-year-olds.

The study highlights that behavioral problems in childhood are a significant concern across both private and government schools and cannot be overlooked. Early identification, school-based behavioral health programs, and parental involvement are essential for prevention and intervention. The findings provide important implications for educators, parents, and policymakers in promoting children’s psychological well-being.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/23957476.2025.v11.i3c.1988