Research News

Supervised by  Dr. Roquia Begum

Abstract

Tlic present study investigated behaviour problems among trafllcked children, institutionalized children and children living with their families. For this purpose a total of 60 children were selected as the sample of the study. Of these, 20 were trafficked children, 20 were institutionalized children and 20 were children living with their families. The institutionalized children and children living with their families were matched with the trafficked children in respect of sex, age and socio-economic status. Five care givers(both male and female) and twenty mothers were taken to assess the behaviour problems of these children. Trafficked children were taken from two shelter homes and institutionalized children were taken from two orphanages of Dhaka city. Children living with their families were taken from one area of Dhaka city. The age of the children ranged from 6 to 16 years. According to age the children were divided into two groups. The Bengali version of the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) was used for studying behaviour problems, 'fhe results were analyzed by using t-test, F-test and chi-square. Results of the present study indicated that total behaviour problem scores varied significantly according to the type and sex of the subjects but not according to their age. The trafficked children scored highest behaviour problems followed by the institutionalized children and children living with their families. Behaviour problems were found to be significantly higher among boys than girls. Interactions between type and sex, type and age, sex and age as well as interactions among type, sex and age were not significant . Results also revealed that the trafficked children, institutionalized children and children living with their families differed significantly from each other on 42(35 59%) problem items of the CBCL. Significant sex differences were found on 1 1(9.32%) problem items and age differences were found only on 6 (5.08%) problem items. Trafficked boys of both the age groups (6 to 11 and 12 to 16 years) scored significantly higher than both groups of institutionalized boys and boys both groups of living with their families on the total problem scores and on some of the subscales scores of the CBCL, Trafficked girls of both the age groups (6 to 11 and 12 to 16 years) also scored significantly higher than other two groups of girls on the total problem scores as well as some of the subscales scores of the CBCL Results of the present study indicated that the effect of duration of stay at organization or institution on behaviour problem scores of the trafficked children and the institutionalized children was not significant. Results also revealed that a high percentage (75%) of trafficked children scored behaviour problem in the clinical range followed by institutionalized children (45%) and children living with their families (15%). The findings of the present study were interpreted in the light of existing literature and further research on tiiis area was recommended.