Objective
This study has two objectives. Firstly, within the scientific objective, it aims to provide empirical data on problem behaviour in adolescents in the new developing Russian society. Until now such data is lacking. By employing a well-known assessment technique as mentioned hereafter this study will make possible a cross-cultural comparison of the prevalence rates of behavioral and emotional problems in Russian adolescents with prevalence rates of same-aged adolescents from other western and non-western countries. The second objective concerns the relevance for professionals and policy-makers. As a result of information obtained on common behavioural and emotional problems in Russian adolescents, the number of seriously disturbed adolescents can be estimated, as well as the number of adolescents who need professional help. Through this prevalence study concrete advice will be given on the early detection of problem behaviour in adolescents, on the planning of services for youth health care, and on the prevention of negative outcomes. The results of the study will therefore be useful for policy-makers, and for local as well as central authorities.
In this epidemiological study data will be gathered on the prevalence of behavioral and emotional problems in a sample of 1500 adolescents in Russia aged from 12 to 16 years. It will be a large-scale prevalence study on problem behaviour in the country.
A general population sample of 1500 families with one or more children between 12 and 16 years old will be drawn. To increase the representativeness of the sample, use will be made of a systematic sampling procedure, so that in principle every family has an equal probability of being selected. The sample will be drawn from the whole of the Russian Federation. Interviewers will visit the parents of the selected adolescents at home to fill out two questionnaires, the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) and an additional questionnaire. The CBCL will be used to obtain parents' reports of their children's competencies and problem behaviours within the last six months. It contains 20 competence items on various topics such as sports; and school performance and 120 items describing behavioural and emotional problems that are grouped into various domains (e.g. social problems, aggressive behaviour). On the basis of CBCL scores children with seriously deviant problem behaviour can be detected. In the additional questionnaire demographic variables (sex, age, family size, income level, socio-economic status), geographical variables (rural/urban place of residence), and medical variables (chronic disease) will be included. The association of these variables with behavioral and emotional problems will be studied in order to gain more insight into the correlates of problem behaviour in Russian adolescents.
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
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3000 Leuven
Belgium