Comparative study of social and family correlates of children's behaviour ratings

Using an random sample of first-time mothers the associations between their children's behaviour problems at three points in time are presented. A moderate to low correlation was obtained between the ages of 27 and 42 months. No correlation existed between 14 and 27 or 42 months. The relationships between behaviour problems and social and family factors at each age were also examined. These generally increased with the children's age and included maternal depression, lack of social contacts, poorer relationships and housing problems. It is tentatively suggested that the differing patterns of associations at the three ages might indicate a progression, with increasing age, towards a more difficult situation for the families.