What Are the Causes of Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Children?

Emotional and behavioral problems in children can be caused by one or several factors. Biological factors may include biochemical, neurological or genetic factors. School and society may play a role as children spend the largest part of their time away from their families in school. Environmental factors, relationship with parents and family interactions can also influence emotional and behavior problems.

  1. Biological Factors

    • A great deal of evidence suggests that behavioral and emotional problems in children may be influenced by neurological, biochemical or genetic factors. Researchers are still uncertain whether the biological component is the actual cause of the child's emotional or behavioral difficulties or just associated with the problems in another, unknown way. Continued research may bring new light to the issue in the years to come.

    School and Society

    • Children spend a a great deal of their childhood at school, clubs, church and sporting activities. These groups help shape your child, positively or negatively. Social rejection by peers can worsen an emotional condition, making it more difficult for the child with a behavior problem to develop the necessary skills to deal with her issues. Children in these situations may withdraw or become overly aggressive in an attempt to control their situation. Teachers can exacerbate the child's problems by not setting clear expectations or ridiculing or embarrassing the child in front of her peers.

    Environmental Factors

    • Children generally don't come through childhood unscathed. Most children are resistant to negative episodes in their lives. When there is an excessive combination of negative experiences over a longer period of time, emotional and behavioral difficulties can become apparent or exacerbated. Among the examples of negative experiences are abusive homes, poverty, parenting that is too lenient or overly and constantly critical and poor adult role models.

    Family Life

    • A child's positive relationship with his parents encourages and influences socially acceptable behavior. If your child has an emotional or behavior problem, he will have an easier time learning self-control and coping skills when his family environment is a positive one. Children who spend their early childhood years in a negative family environment may develop emotional problems due to familial stress, poor parenting or abuse. A child who is already at risk due to genetics or other factors is likely to have a tougher time.

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