Behavioral profile of children and adolescents referred for treatment due to enuresis or other complaints

Abstract

Children and adolescents with enuresis compose a group that is often referred for psychology services due to the impact that the disorder can cause. The present study compared the behavioral profile obtained with the CBCL/6-18 filled out by the parents of 163 children and adolescents referred for psychological treatment due to enuresis with the behavioral profile of 79 children and adolescents referred due to other types of problems. Few differences were found considering the age group (children vs. youths) within each group. Significant differences were found in the groups’ comparison: the enuresis one achieved higher scores on the competences’ scales and lower on seven of the 11 problems’ scales. Results suggest that different psychological strategies should be chosen for each group, with focus on enuresis for the first one and on the development of competencies and solution of behavioral problems for the second.