One in five boys in year 3\u00a0have an emotional or behavioural problem that sees them lag a year\u00a0behind their peers in reading and numeracy, according to research that\u00a0stresses the mental health of young people needs to be a focus in primary schools.<\/p>\n
The CATS study at the Centre for Adolescent Health, looked\u00a0at common emotional and behavioural problems and academic performance in more than 1000 eight and nine-year-old children.<\/p>\n
The research found about one in five boys and one in seven girls had at least borderline emotional and behavioural problems.<\/p>\n
Boys with emotional and behavioural difficulties \u2013 20 per cent of the sample\u2013 were 12 months behind their peers in both reading and numeracy, based on data from NAPLAN\u00a0tests.<\/p>\n
The study’s lead author, Lisa Mundy, said it was unlikely increasing academic pressure was causing emotional and behavioural problems, which were more common in secondary school.<\/p>\n
“A more likely explanation is that mental health and behavioural problems are directly contributing to poor academic performance, possibly through reduced attention to school work or school absence,” Dr Mundy said.<\/p>\n
Dr Lisa Mundy did an interview <\/a>with the ABC television.<\/p>\n Find out more information on our website:\u00a0https:\/\/cats.mcri.edu.au\/<\/a><\/p>\n
\n