Children's vulnerability to psychological health problems : attitudes of a community sample of Arabs in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract EN

A community survey of adult Arabs in the United Arab Emirates examined their beliefs regarding the vulnerability of children to psychological health problems.

The study utilized a specially designed 10 item questionnaire covering the vulnerability of children to different psychological problems.

The results showed that the sample had a less than expected level of awareness of such vulnerability.

Age, experience with child rearing, nationality and level of education could not discriminate between those with acceptable levels of awareness and those without.

However, women were more aware than men of children's vulnerability.

Possible explanations for such findings are discussed.