TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2000//
TI  - Mental health in pediatric settings: distribution of disorders and factors related to service use
JO  - Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
A1  - Briggs-Gowan, Margaret J.
A1  - Horwitz, Sarah McCue
A1  - Schwab-Stone, Mary E.
A1  - Leventhal, John M.
A1  - Leaf, Philip J.
SP  - 841
EP  - 849
VL  - 39
IS  - 7
N2  - OBJECTIVES: To examine child psychiatric disorders in pediatric settings and identify factors associated with parents' use of pediatricians as resources concerning emotional/behavioral issues and use of mental health services. METHOD: The sample consists of 5- to 9-year-olds (mean = 7.17 years, SD = 1.41) from a representative sample (N = 1,060) of pediatric practices. Parent interviews included assessments of psychiatric disorders with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (DISC-R), parental depression/anxiety, possible child abuse, stress, support, and the use of mental health services. RESULTS: The prevalence of any DISC disorder was 16.8%. Parental depression/anxiety and possible child abuse were associated independently with 2- to 3-times higher rates of disorder. Many parents (55%) who reported any disorder did not report discussing behavioral/emotional concerns with their pediatrician. Factors associated with discussing behavioral/emotional issues were the presence of any disorder and financial stress. Factors related to seeing a mental health professional were discussing behavioral/emotional issues with the pediatrician, single parenthood, and stressful life events. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rates of disorders in this setting suggest that pediatricians are well-placed to identify and refer children with psychiatric disorders. However, most parents do not discuss behavioral/emotional issues with their pediatrician. Methods for improving rates of identification and referral (e.g., routine screening) are considered.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0890-8567
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -