Emel ÖMERCİOĞLU, Aysel HACISOY, Gökçenur ÖZDEMİR, Buse ŞENCAN KARAKUŞ, Ebru ÖZTÜRK, Elif N. ÖZMERT
Turkish Archives of Pediatrics - 2026;61(3):260-268
Objective: Behavioral problems in children may be associated with developmental characteristics and parental stress levels. This study aimed to identify potential early risk indicators and focal points for preventive intervention related to behavioral problems among preschool children suspected of developmental delay before diagnosis or formal intervention. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 89 children aged 24-60 months referred for their first evaluation for suspected delays and 37 typically developing (TD) peers. Development was assessed with the Ages and Stages Questionnaire-Turkish version (ASQ-TR). Mothers completed the ASQ: Social-Emotional, Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/1.5-5), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF). Groups were compared, and regression analyses identified child and parent factors associated with behavioral problems. Results: Children with developmental risk had significantly higher CBCL total, internalizing, and externalizing scores than TD peers. Maternal depression symptom and anxiety scores did not differ between groups, but parenting stress was higher among mothers of children with risk. Within the developmental risk group, parenting stress was consistently associated with total, internalizing, and externalizing problems. Delays in personal-social and social-emotional domains were linked to total and externalizing difficulties, while gross motor delays were related to internalizing problems. Conclusion: Behavior problems are higher among children identified as being at developmental risk through screening, and parenting stress is closely associated across behavioral domains even before formal diagnosis or intervention.
