In this study, the change of emotional and behavioral problems after two years by
age, gender, and behavior disposition were examined. The subjects of this study were
115 children between 3 and 5 years old who attended kindergarten and daycare
centers. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and, Pearson correlation
coefficient, Fisher Z transformation. The results of this study are as follows. First,
both externalizing and internalizing groups showed stability (continuity) 2 years later
in aggressive behavior scale and maladaptive behavior scale on the whole over time.
However, some items showed discontinuity, where negative behavior decreased. And
stability was shown on the whole in social interaction scale and adaptive behavior
scale as well, but discontinuity was shown, where some positive behaviors improved.
Second, children aged 3 years-5 years was stable on the whole in aggressive
behavior scale, maladaptive behavior scale, social interaction scale and adaptive
behavior scale 2 years later. However, some positive behaviors improved, and some
negative behaviors decreased. Third, in a change according to gender over time, male
children showed higher stability of the challenging behavior than female children in
aggressive behavior scale and maladaptive behavior scale. And female children showed
a little more stability that male children in social interaction scale and adaptive
behavior scale. Based on the results of this study, the changes and
persistence(stability) of emotional behavioral problems over time were discussed based
on previous studies.