Abstract
Objective
to evaluate the association between child labor and internalizing and externalizing behavioral.
Methods
a cross-sectional study involving home interview and use of the Child Behavior Check List with 1,608 adolescents aged from 10-13 and 1,530 aged from 14-16 from the urban areas of Pelotas, southern Brazil.
Results
the prevalence of child labor in the groups studied was 7.3% and 20.7% respectively, and, of emotional/behavioral problems, 25% for internalizing and 22% for externalizing issues, with no age difference. Adjusted hierarchical analysis performed using Poisson regression stratified by age showed association between externalizing behavior and labor, with higher prevalence among younger and lower prevalence among older workers. Among younger, externalizing was directly associated with domestic and construction service while among older, those working in non-domestic services presented lower prevalence. There was no association between work and internalizing problems in both age groups. For older workers, labor had a protective effect against externalizing, particularly in non-domestic services; however, there is a chance of reverse causality.
Discussion
behavior damage at ages 10 to 13 suggests the need to eradicate child labor, especially regarding domestic and construction services. On the other hand, non- domestic services might be beneficial to older adolescents’ behavior.
Keywords:
child labor; child behavior; prevalence; risk factors