Summaries
De Kinder, G., Van Vaerenbergh, G., & Vanhoomissen, T. (2009). Psychological questions posed by primary school children between ten and twelve years of age. Kind en Adolescent, 30 (2), 82-94
This research was conducted to discover the psychological themes and questions that occupy children between ten and twelve years of age. In a preliminary qualitative study, 441 children in 40 focus groups were interviewed about the psychological questions they ask themselves. Results from this study were used in a comprehensive survey among 2069 Flemish children at primary school (age 10-12). Results show that many children (percentages ranging from 89 through 95) pose questions within each psychological domain, with top domains being: ‘consciousness’, ‘problems’, and ‘the brain’. Most questions are clearly related to the developmental stage of primary school children. Most frequently asked questions are categorised in the domains ‘family and education’, ‘problems’ and ‘feelings’. More specific topics of interest are abuse, bullying, suicide, death, divorce and love.