Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate behavioral problems in children with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) and in those with mental retardation (MR) using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).
Methods: Fifteen children with PVL (mean age 55.2 ± 25.8 months) and 15 children with MR (mean age 53.3 ± 21.2 months) participated in this study. Fourteen age-matched children with typical development (TD) also participated as healthy controls. The participants were assessed by their mothers using the CBCL. In addition, a parenting questionnaire was completed by parents of children with PVL and MR.
Results: Children with PVL had significantly higher mean scores on internalizing problems than externalizing problems. This tendency was not observed in the other two groups, and was not associated with parenting attitude. Compared to TD children, children with MR had significantly higher scores on withdrawal, aggressive behavior and attention problems narrowband scales, and internalizing and externalizing broadband scales.
Conclusion: Children with PVL showed higher internalizing than externalizing problems in their daily life. Children with MR, when compared with TD children, showed higher scores on both internalizing and externalizing problems.
