Internalizing problems and engagement among preschool children predict the trajectories of several functional outcomes’ in a Swedish longitudinal study

Abstract

Abstract Mental health problems among children are prevalent, often found within the socioemotional domains, and tend to persist over time. Early detection could predict the need for interventions for children at risk. This study aimed to study the role of internalizing problems and engagement in a preschool setting with respect to the trajectory of several functional outcomes. Using preschool teacher estimations of a representative cohort of 845 Swedish preschool children (438 boys and 407 girls, age range 13–71 months), this study constructed risk groups based on the emotional subscale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the engagement scale derived from the Children’s Engagement Questionnaire (CEQ) at baseline. These risk groups were associated with the trajectory of WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) (p < 0.001) SDQ (p < 0.001) SDQ-emotional subscale (p < 0.001), and CEQ (p < 0.001) over three years. Concise assessments of these risk factors in children could help predict the need for targeted interventions to ensure a positive development for children at risk.