Factors associated with parent-child discrepancies in reports of mental health disorders in young children

The study compares parent and child reports of child mental health to determine the relationship between parent-child disagreement and parental psychological and attitudinal factors, and to determine how parent-child disagreement is associated with the use of specialized services. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1268 children aged 6-11 years using the Dominic Interactive and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Psychological distress and negative parental attitudes were associated with greater reporting of mental health problems, leading to greater parent-child agreement on symptom presence, and to parental over-reporting of symptoms. Parent/child agreement was associated with 43.83% of contact with a mental health provider for externalizing and 33.73% for internalizing problems. The contribution of key parental psychological and attitudinal factors in parent-child disagreement on child mental health status may prove helpful in improving the identification of children in need of specialized services.

Author(s): Bajeux Emma, Klemanski David H, Husky Mathilde, Leray Emmanuelle, Chan Chee Christine, Shojaei Taraneh, Fermanian Christophe, Kovess-Masfety Viviane

Publishing year: 2018

Pages: 1003-1010

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