Temperament and related factors in early childhood

Authors

  • Panida Siriumpunkul, Ph.D. Faculty of Nursing, Thammasat University
  • Jurairat Keebang, M.N.S. Faculty of Nursing, Thammasat University

Keywords:

early childhood, easy child, difficult child, temperament

Abstract

Objective: To study the temperament and possible related factors of temperament in early childhood.

Methods: Data was collected from parents and primary children aged 1 – 5 in 444 families with using a multistage randomized method. These were selected from well-baby clinic at Thammasat University Hospital and Pathum Thani Hospital, and from six child development center and school in Pathum Thani Province. The quantitative were collected including general information on parents, children and family, children nutrition, child development (developmental surveillance and promotion manual; DSPM), and early childhood temperament assessment. The qualitative data was collected via in depth interview and child observation. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, percentage, means and correlation coefficients. The qualitative data was analyzed by topics-grouping.

Result: Of the temperament: 15.5% of children were classified as easy child, 69.1% were somewhat difficult and 15.3% were difficult child. The temperament on family domain was highest on parenting (M = 2.17) and most family (69.1%) viewed child-rearing as difficult.  The temperament of children domain was highest on physical movement characteristics (M = 3.40) and most children enjoyed playing by running, jumping or climbing. Family income was negatively associated with mean temperament significantly (p < .01).

Conclusion: Children in early childhood should be screened for temperament so that wary support could be provide.

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Author Biography

Panida Siriumpunkul, Ph.D., Faculty of Nursing, Thammasat University

child and Adolescent Nursing Department

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Published

2021-03-23

How to Cite

1.
Siriumpunkul P, Keebang J. Temperament and related factors in early childhood. J Ment Health Thai [internet]. 2021 Mar. 23 [cited 2025 Dec. 8];29(1):80-92. available from: https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jmht/article/view/244406

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