Family Transition, Conduct Problem, and Self-Esteem in Elementary Schools in Kuwait: A Quasi-Experimental Design

Amer Alsaleh

 

Abstract

The study investigates whether family transitions are related to behavioural and self-esteem problems in elementary school-aged males in Kuwait. Boys between the ages of 8 and 10 are divided into two groups: a group whose families have undergone a transition within the past three years and a group whose families had not undergone such a transition. The two groups are compared in problems with conduct and self-esteem as measured by the Child Behaviour Checklist-6/18, and on the Self-Esteem Index. The study does not find statistically significant relationships between having undergone a family transition and the students’ conduct and self-esteem. Transitions in the families of young Kuwaiti boys do not seem to be precursors of conduct problems or low self-esteem.  Future research could study conflict factors in families to determine whether conflict is related to both problems with behaviour and self-esteem.

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