Association of Nurturing at Daycare with Lower Risk of Suspected Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in 3-6 Year-old Children

Abstract: Emotional and behavioral disorders (E/BD) is a serious problem affecting the development, productivity, and quality of life of children. There were many risk and protective factors associated with this disorder, including caregiving method. The aim of this study is to prove the association of nurturing at daycare with suspected E/BD in 3-6 years-old children. This analytical cross sectional study was conducted in August 2018 at private preschools in Denpasar, Bali. Data were obtained from parents’ interview and Kuesioner Masalah Perilaku dan Emosional (KMPE). Other factors investigated were age, gender, main caregiver, main caregiver’s education, parents’ income, and number of siblings. Total sample in this study was 70 children, mean age 4.46 years-old. Out of 70 children, 38 children (54.3%) had suspected E/BD. Twenty-six children (37.1%) was nurtured at daycare. There was significant association of nurturing at daycare with suspected E/BD (p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed significant association of nurturing at daycare (OR 0.097; 95%CI 0.028, 0.344; p<0.001) and main caregiver other than biological parents (OR 6.92; 95%CI 1.647, 29.073; p=0.003) with suspected E/BD. There was association of nurturing at daycare with lower risk of suspected E/BD in 3-6 years-old children. Keywords: Children, Daycare, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders