Child behavior and neglect: influencing factors in the behavior of vulnerable children

Abstract

Institutionalized child abandonment represents one of the most critical social issues of our time. Neglect and sexual abuse are the most frequent causes of admission to protective institutions, although no universally accepted definition exists for these terms. This study aims to identify the determining factors influencing the behaviors of children in situations of abandonment. The research employed a descriptive design with a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative and qualitative methodologies.

The study population consisted of 34 girls and 1 boy, aged 8 to 11 years, all under legal protection in the city of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas. Sample selection was based on the inclusion criterion of children scoring at the "Very Severe" level on the ESPERI Test, a tool designed to assess four behavioral dimensions: inattention/impulsivity, dissocial behavior, prosocial behavior, and oppositional/defiant behavior.

Additionally, the reasons for institutional admission were analyzed as a relevant factor in the manifestation and progression of observed behaviors. The main causes identified included neglect—encompassing insufficient attention to nutrition and hygiene, caregiver absence, physical abuse, and abandonment—and sexual abuse, which included child trafficking, abuse by family members, and abuse by individuals in the child’s close environment.

Severe behavioral problems in institutionalized minors are linked to early adverse experiences and interactions with peers who share similar lifestyles, reinforcing negative attitudes and distrust toward their environment.