Caregivers' Perceptions of Child Mental Health Needs and Service Utilization: An Urban 8-Year Old Sample

Abstract

This study extended previous research on mental health utilization to a sample of 214 preadolescent children and their caregivers. Predictors of two distinct phases of service utilization were tentatively examined in multivariate analyses: caregivers' perceptions that children needed services and receipt of those services by children. Of these children, 24.8% were perceived by their caregivers as needing mental health services; 11.7% received mental health services and 13.1% did not. Internalizing behavioral problems increased children's likelihood of being seen as needing services, but failed to increase likelihood of receiving services. Four factors predicted receipt of mental health services: relative lack of poverty, non-African American ethnicity, externalizing behavior problems, and child history of maltreatment. Implications for services targeted at preadolescent children are discussed.

Parents’ Conceptualization of Adolescents’ Mental Health Problems: Who Adopts a Psychiatric Perspective and Does It Make a Difference?

“…Parents of ethnic/racial minority status and parents with less education were less likely to be classified among parents using psychiatric terms and more likely to explain their child's problems in other ways. This finding is consistent with the literature on parents' problem recognition, treatment retention, and MH helpseeking, which typically points to race/culture and education as factors that help shape parents' styles of coping with children's MH issues (Angold et al 1998;Cauce et al 2002;Leslie et al 2007; Thompson and May 2006).…”

“…On the other hand, clinical factors such as severity of child's symptoms, functional impairment, and type of problem (externalizing behavior) tend to promote parental concern and participation in formal MH services (Alegria et al 2004;Angold et al 1998;Leslie et al 2007;Logan and King 2001;Pavuluri et al 1996; Thompson and May 2006;Wade 2006). Also, parents' own history of MH problems and treatment may facilitate their recognition and acknowledgement of adolescents' MH problems by way of sensitizing them to the signs and symptoms.…”

Leveraging After-School Programs to Minimize Risks for Internalizing Symptoms Among Urban Youth: Weaving Together Music Education and Social Development

“…This may be particularly true for youth in poverty who, despite experiencing higher rates of anxiety and depression, are less likely to be identified for or receive services (Anderson et al, 2006; Thompson & May, 2006). Developing strategies to mitigate risk for vulnerable youth is paramount.…”

How Caregivers Make Meaning of Child Mental Health Problems: Toward Understanding Caregiver Strain and Help Seeking

“…Caregivers’ recognition and understanding of their child’s EBP influences the resources they mobilize (or not) to address the problem, and therefore influences help-seeking and commitment to treatment (Kazdin et al, 1997; Morrissey-Kane & Prinz, 1999; Teagle, 2002; Thompson & May, 2006). Experiences with the mental health system and other families shape whether caregivers believe the problem is caused by a chemical imbalance or other biological mechanism, a response to a stressful environment, or combinations thereof, and which resources they perceive to be most beneficial in addressing the source of the problem.…”

“…Experiences with the mental health system and other families shape whether caregivers believe the problem is caused by a chemical imbalance or other biological mechanism, a response to a stressful environment, or combinations thereof, and which resources they perceive to be most beneficial in addressing the source of the problem. Factors shaping parent’s conceptualization and help-seeking behaviors include social and cultural norms (Bussing et al, 2005; Karp, 2001; Thompson & May, 2006), experiences with mental health issues (Arcia & Fernandez, 2003; Logan & King 2001), access to services, education, and severity of the child’s symptoms (Angold et al, 1998; Logan & King, 2001; McKay & Bannon, 2004; Wade 2006). Some parents of ethnic/racial minority status and with less education have been shown to be less likely to perceive their children’s behaviors as needing help (Bussing et al, 2005; McKay & Bannon, 2004; Thompson & May, 2006) or as a mental illness (Arcia & Fermamdez, 2003).…”