A 4-Year-Old Boy Is Brought to the Office for a Routine

question 270

Multiple Choice

A 4-year-old boy is brought to the office for a routine visit.  He has no medical problems and started preschool 3 weeks ago.  The mother is concerned about his adjustment to school as he wants to stay home like his baby sister, frequently takes a long time to get dressed, and becomes upset when dropped off at school.  On the first day of school, she was embarrassed when her son stomped his feet, yelled, "Take me home," and wrapped his arms around her legs, physically preventing her from leaving the classroom.  The teacher reports that the boy settles down a few minutes after the mother leaves.  He is shy but plays with the other children and participates in all class activities.  The boy's sleep and appetite are normal, although he refuses to eat anything with peas in it.  His growth and developmental milestones are within normal range.  Which of the following is the most likely explanation for the boy's behavior?

• A)Adjustment disorder
• B)Normal development
• C)Oppositional defiant disorder
• D)Parent-child relational problem
• E)Separation anxiety disorder
• F)Social anxiety disorder
• G)Stranger anxiety

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Definitions:

Anonymous Survey

A survey in which the identities of the respondents are not known to the researchers, ensuring privacy and encouraging honest answers.

Case-control Study

An observational study design in which two groups differing in outcome are identified and compared on the basis of some supposed causal attribute.

Outcome Variable

The variable being measured or tested in an experiment or study to assess the effects of treatment or exposure.

Observational Epidemiological

The study of diseases within populations without manipulating the environment, observing the natural occurrence of health outcomes.