Investigating the correlation between unwanted pregnancy and behavioral problems in children Download PDF

Background and Aim: One of the most important stages in life, in which a person's personality is shaped, is childhood. Thus, considering the importance of children's behavioral problems, as well as the relationship between children's behavioral problems and maternal mental health, the aim of this study was to determine the correlation between unwanted pregnancy and behavioral problems in children aged 6 to 11 years. Material and Method: The present study is an analytical cross-sectional research based on objective and non-random sampling. The study population included all public school elementary students in Tehran and eventually 240 students 6-11 years old were enrolled in the study. The study data was collected by demographic and obstetric and Achenbach child behavior checklist for ages 6-18 (CBCL) and was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Results: The incidence of unwanted pregnancy was 13.3%. Among behavioral problems subscales, there was no significant relationship between two groups of wanted and unwanted pregnancies only in terms of isolation/ depression scale (P=0.070). The significant relationship between unwanted pregnancy and scales of internalizing behavior problems, externalizing behavior problems and overall scale (P=0.008, P=0.001 and P=0.003). Conclusion: Mothers with unwanted pregnancies suffer from poor morale and feelings of helplessness and depression and these states directly affect the child eventually leading to an increase in internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems among children.