Assessment of Emotional problems and Coping strategies among Preadolescents in selected schools in Kottayam district

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the emotional problems and coping strategies among preadolescents in selected schools in Kottayam district. The objectives were to assess the emotional problems, to assess the coping strategies among preadolescents, find the association between emotional problems and selected demographic variables, determine the association between coping strategies and selected demographic variables, find the relationship between emotional problems at home and school. In order to accomplish the objectives of the study, the investigators used a non-experimental descriptive research design. Sixty school children aged between 10–12years, studying in classes 5,6 and 7 were selected using non-probability convenience sampling. The data was collected using rating scale after obtaining permission from school authorities and written consent from the subjects. Data was analysed and interpreted using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that among 60 subjects, 20% of children experienced no emotional problems, 46.7% children had moderate emotional problems and 3.3% had severe emotional problems. Amongst this, in school, the most prevalent problem was worry about exams and results (80%), and in home, depression due to complaint by parents about low marks (90%) was the highest. It was also noted that 91.7% of children had adaptive coping strategy and remaining 8.3% children had maladaptive coping strategy. There is a significant association between age and coping strategies , and it also showed significant association between type of family and coping strategies . The result showed significant relationship between emotional problems at home and school with r =0.03.