Trends of Emotional and Behavioral Problems among Adolescents: Role of Personal Variables

The current study aims to explore the trends of Emotional and Behavioral Problems (EBPs i.e., Anxiousness, Academic Problems, Aggression, Social Withdrawal, Feeling of Rejection, and Somatic Problems) among adolescents and find the role of several personal variables (age, sex, birth order, sector of school, academic grade, number of family members, siblings, hobbies, and Physical Playing) in EBPs. In a quantitative descriptive survey, 400 adolescents were approached through purposive convenient sampling techniques from different schools of Karachi, Pakistan. The data was collected through the School Children's Problems Scale and a Personal Variables Sheet. The results showed that 84.8% found to have higher levels of EBP while only 10% exhibited lower levels. Adolescents mostly showed aggression and feeling of rejection (90%) and anxiety and social withdrawal was also demonstrated by 70% at the least. Number of family members had significant weak negative relationship with anxiousness; while number of siblings, duration of physical play and studying had a significant positive relationship with all EPBs. Academic grades, sector of school, birth order and hobbies played a significant role in EPBs. Age and gender did not play a significant role in EBP. The research on EBPs has important implications for clinical and educational psychologists, and health and educational policy makers.