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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Janie L. Canty-Mitchell, PhD, School of Nursing, Indiana University, 1111 Middle Drive, NU 461, Indianapolis, IN 46202, 317-278-1380, jcanty@iupui.edu, Joan Austin, DNS, RN, Nursing, Indiana University, 1111 Middle Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202, Rong Amy Qi, MS, School of Medicine, Biostatistics Dept., Indiana University, 1111 Middle Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202, and Nancy Swigonski, MD, MPH, Department of Adolescent Medicine, Indiana Unviersity School of Medicine, Riley Hospital, 702 Barnhill Road, Room 1740X, Indianapolis, IN 46201.
Children with special health care needs (CSHCN) are more likely than other children to have emotional, behavior, and mental health problems but are less likely to receive care even with insurance coverage. The purpose of this study was to assess caregivers’ perceptions of the need for mental heath treatment and counseling for emotional, behavioral, or mental health problems in CSHCN. Primary caregivers (N=109) were recruited from one of six primary health clinics in a large Mid-western city if their child (2 to 17 years) screened positive on the Living with Illness Measure. Trained research assistants interviewed caregivers using a computer assisted telephone questionnaire. Independent variables were age, gender, race, and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) (<63 vs. >63). Dependent variable was a single item asking if the child needed treatment or counseling for an emotional, behavior, or mental health problem. 27.5% of caregivers perceived the need for treatment or counseling whereas 40% CSHCN had an objective need with total CBCL scores > 63. 43% whites and 17% of African Americans reported a need for counseling. CBCL score > 63 (AOR 8.0; CI 2.8, 22) and African American race (AOR .21; (.08, .58) were significant predictors of caregivers’ perceptions of a need for treatment or counseling. Even after controlling for CBCL, the odds African American caregivers thought their child needed counseling was half that of a white child. Differences in recognition of need for mental health services may account for the racial disparities in utilization of mental health services.
Learning Objectives: At the end of the presentation, the audience will be able to
Keywords: Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Children With Special Needs
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.