Parents’ Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding a Screening Test for and Subsequent Management of Students’ Emotional and Behavioral Problems

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate parents’ perceptions and attitudes regarding a screening test for and subsequent management of students’ emotional and behavioral problems. Methods: A descriptive research design was used, and included disproportional stratified and cluster random sampling. The sample comprised 223 parents of elementary, middle, and high school students. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-squared test, and ANOVA with SPSS/WIN 21.0. Results: Overall, parents responded that they knew of the goals, types, and tools of screening tests for students’ emotional and behavioral problems. In total, 64.6% of parents reported having information for the screening test in advance. Only 13.5%(n=30) of students had emotional and behavioral problems in the last year. Among these students, 56.7%(n=17) were referred to mental health facilities but only 29.4%(n=5) of them received ongoing management from these facilities. Conclusion: These findings suggest that parents should receive information about the screening test for and subsequent management of students’ emotional and behavioral problems. Health professionals need to build strategies to provide ongoing management for students who have emotional and behavioral problems.