Use of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in identifying emotional and behavioural problems in children of parents with a mental illness in Australia

Thirty six children of parents who attended the adult outpatient service in the Werribee Mercy Mental Health Program were screened for possible emotional and behavioural problems using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The proportion of children identified with difficulties was 50 percen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Australian e-journal for the advancement of mental health AeJAMH 2008-01, Vol.7 (3), p.200-206
Main Authors: Mathai, John, Jespersen, Sean, Bourne, Angela, Donegan, Tony, Akinbiyi, Akinsola, Gray, Kelly
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Australia
Behavioural problems
Children
children of parents with a mental illness
Chronic diseases
Emotional disorders
emotional problems
Emotions
Health services
Mental health
Mental health services
Mental illness
Parents
Parents with mental disabilities
People with mental disabilities
Questionnaires
SDQ
Social behaviour
Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire
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Summary:Thirty six children of parents who attended the adult outpatient service in the Werribee Mercy Mental Health Program were screened for possible emotional and behavioural problems using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The proportion of children identified with difficulties was 50 percent, much higher than in the general population. Fifty eight percent of the children had chronic problems and the difficulties were perceived to be moderate to severe in 53 percent of the sample. The burden of these difficulties on the family was also high. Despite this, only a small proportion of children were then referred for further assessment and treatment. More psycho-education for both clinicians in the adult service and for parents is required. Difficulties in recruitment resulted in low numbers for this study. There continues to be difficulty in parents consenting for their children to be assessed.
ISSN:1446-7984
1446-7984
DOI:10.5172/jamh.7.3.200