Study of Emotional Disorders among Children with Poor Academic Performance

Objectives: 1. To study the nature and prevalence of emotional disorder among children with poor academic performance., 2. To study the associated Psychiatric co-morbidities among children with poor academic performance were presenting with emotional disorders. Material and Methods: Total of 1480 children studying in 3 CBSE schools, aged between 6 and 12 years were screened. 312 children were found to be performing poor in academics. After simple randomization and further screening procedure 115 children were included in the study. Each child was assessed by interviewing with MINI-KID Questionnaire and CBCL and final diagnosis made by using ICD-10 DCR criteria. Statistical analysis was done using Epi Info 7 software.   Results: The prevalence of poor academic performers was found to be 21.08%. The prevalence of emotional disorders among children with poor academic performance was found to be 22.61%. Majority of poor academic performers having phobic anxiety disorders of childhood accounts to be 9.57%. Other emotional disorders like, social anxiety disorder of childhood, sibling rivalry disorder and separation anxiety disorders of childhood accounts to be 6.96%, 6.09% and 3.48% respectively. Conclusion: Emotional disorders in school going children leads to poor performance in academics and school drop outs. Prevalence of emotional disorders were more in girls. Phobic anxiety disorder (Exam phobia /anxiety) is the most common type of emotional disorders presented by the children.