Mental Health Disparities in Children and Burden on Families

Objective: Approximately 20% of children in the United States have mental health problems. Socio-demographic characteristics for children with mental health problems and the subsequent negative impact (burden) of these problems on families are not well understood. Therefore, our goals were to profile mental health problems in children to identify whether socio-demographic disparities exist, and to quantify the correlates of family burden. Methods: We used The National Survey of Children's Health, 2003. The study population included the 85,116 children aged 3-17 years surveyed. The prevalence of mental health problems and family burden were calculated for children by socio-demographic characteristics. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models were employed to calculate the odds of mental problems in children and the odds of family burden. Results: The prevalence of mental health problems in children aged 3-17 years was 18%. Mental health problems were more commonly identified among boys, older children, Blacks, children living in poverty, covered by public insurance and/or children living in homes without two parents. 28% of families reported family burden. Correlates of family burden included severity, older age, higher income, single parent family structure, and White race. Conclusions: Socio-demographic disparities exist for childhood mental health problems. Families frequently report burden. The socio-demographic correlates of mental health problems are not the same correlates as family burden. Further research is necessary to determine why the correlates of mental health problems are different than the correlates of family burden and determine which interventions are most appropriate for children and their families.