Background: Sweden has a high percentage of children with psychological problems. The most common form of psychological problems among preschool children is emotional and behavioural problems. Furthermore, children with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD) are at higher risk of experiencing such problems by exhibiting externalising or internalising symptoms. Habilitation services in Sweden offer therapeutic support to children with NDD to promote participation in society. This study aims to determine the association between emotional and behavioural problems and utilisation of habilitation services among preschool children in Uppsala Region, Sweden.
Method: A longitudinal cohort study was performed using data from the Children and Parents in Focus study from 2013 to 2017 and registry data from Uppsala Region between 2013 to 2021. A total of 7343 and 6322 preschool children aged 3 to 5 years old, who were rated using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire by mothers and fathers respectively were selected. Data were analysed using chi-square tests and cox regressions.
Results: Preschool children with emotional and behavioural problems have a higher probability as per mothers’ and fathers’ ratings to have utilised habilitation services after adjusting for potential confounders [HR = 4.24, p < .001] and [HR = 4.03, p < .001] respectively.
Conclusion: Emotional and behavioural problems in preschool children can predict the use of habilitation services in Uppsala Region. It would benefit all children receiving these services if psychological care and treatment were integrated into standard habilitation care.