A survey on personal and family related variables among individuals with emotional disturbance and behavioral disorders: Implications to social skills development

This study sought to analyze the personal and family related variables common and extant among the students with emotional disturbance and behavior disorders. Participants were 30 students of Bagong Sinag Special School in Mandaluyong City who were referred to the school by the National Center for Mental Health and are now receiving rehabilitation and educational program. It utilized the researcher-devised questionnaire and structured interview. The descrriptive method was used in analyzing the personal and family-related variables among respondents and in analyzing the causal factors of emotional disturbance and behavioral disorders. The research-devised a questionnaire consisted of two parts: namely: the personal and family profiles and related variables (part I); and the bahavioral manifestations with internalizing and externalizing common to emotionally disturbed students (part II) . Results of the study indicate that personal related variables such as type of peers, experiences, personal history and socialization level contributed to the development of emotional disturbance among the respondents. Likewise, family related variables such as child rearing practices play crucial role in the development of emotional disturbance among individuals. Most of the respondents often exhibited externalizing behaviors over internalizing behaviors. Implications of the findings of the present study emphasized on the development of social skills, self-esteem, active parents and teachers collaboration and involvement of media and concerned organizations