More often than not children's behaviour escalates and becomes particularly challenging in response to a combination of factors. Typically the child is having difficulty in managing their feelings, which they may not understand, and this result in intense and difficult behaviours.

What is Difficult Behaviour in Children?

Examples of difficult behaviour may include temper tantrums, physical aggression, verbal aggression defiance, irritability, impulsivity, hyperactivity and difficulties with self-control. However all children at different stages may present with such problems or an escalation of a problem (eg. Increase in tantrums or impulsivity in the toddler years). However these problems are considered more significant based on the level of intensity, the frequency and the duration of the problem. For example one ‘major’ tantrum in one month is far less concerning than five tantrums a day which have been ongoing for a month.

Causes of Difficult Behaviour

A number of factors may contribute towards a child demonstrating difficult behaviours.

Temperament: Some children are born with a more difficult temperament. Children who are born with tendencies to be intense and negative in their moods may demonstrate more intense or challenging behaviour. Such temperamental tendencies may set the stage for difficult behaviours later on. Children who are highly reactive and struggle with changes in routine and have increased sensitivities may be more vulnerable to behaviour difficulties.

Stressful Life Events in the Environment: Problems in the environment, especially marital discord and subsequent conflict and financial difficulties may have an impact on the child’s behaviour. Especially in the case of relationship problems between parents the child can become quite anxious when there is instability in the family relationship. Another significant adjustment for children is when a new child is born into the family and feelings of sibling rivalry and jealousy may occur resulting in difficult behaviour. Also other significant life adjustments such as the transition into school may be a vulnerable time for new behaviours to emerge.

Illness: Difficult behaviours may occur when children are tired, hungry and sick. Just prior to the child becoming symptomatic the parent may observe deterioration in their behaviour.

Biological Reasons: Problems, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), may impact the child’s attention and impulsivity and subsequently the child experiences problems with self control and possibly aggression. Some children who are on the Autism Spectrum or present with Autistic tendencies may also experience behaviour problems as a result of their inability to see other people’s perspective and problems in socially relating. Finally children who are developmental delayed or may have a specific problem, such as a speech or language delay may also experience frustration and this may result in problematic behaviour.

Parenting Practices: Children need positive attention and support from their parents. If there are not enough positive interactions with parents, children may act up in order to gain attention and control over others. In addition if parenting practises are excessively punitive this in itself can cause anxiety, frustration and anger outbursts.

More often than not children’s behaviour escalates and becomes particularly challenging in response to a combination of factors. Typically the child is having difficulty in managing their feelings, which they may not understand, and this result in intense and difficult behaviours. If your child is experiencing such behaviours contact your local child health nurse for support. It may also be useful for the child to be seen by a paediatrician for a developmental assessment to rule out developmental or biological causes to the behavioural problem.

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