Palestinian mothers' and pre-school children’s mental health problems

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between mothers’ and their pre-school children’s 
mental health problems. A sample of 324 pre-school children aged 4 to 6 years were selected from 20 
kindergartens in the Gaza Strip. Mothers completed the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist and the Children 
Behavior Checklist. The most common mental health problems among mothers were: headaches 
(32.4%), crying easily (31.5%), feeling nervous (25.9%), and tension and excitement (25.9%). Of those, 
41% of mothers reported severe symptoms, and these were higher if fathers were unemployed.  There 
was significant association between boys’ overall mental health (emotional and behavioral) problems 
and maternal depression. Among girls, there was a significant association between their overall mental 
health problems and their mothers’ total mental health, anxiety, and depression problems. Maternal and 
child mental health problems are strongly inter-related from an early age. Therefore, universal and 
targeted interventions should involve both parents and children; enhance positive aspects of their 
relationship; and be integrated with other health, social care and educational initiatives.