Feasibility of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in assessing children's mental health in primary care: Finnish parents’, teachers’ and public health nurses’ experiences with the SDQ

Background and Aims. Assessing young children’s mental health is a crucial and challenging task. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical relevance of asking parents, nurses, and young children themselves to identify children’s mental health problems by only one or two questions.Methods. In regular health check-ups of 4- to 9-year-old children(n=2682), parents and public health nurses assessed by one question whether the child had any emotional or behavioral difficulties. The child completed a self-evaluation enquiry on his/her emotional well-being. A stratified proportion of the participating parents were invited to a diagnostic interview.Results. Sensitivities were fairly good for the parents’ (68%), nurses’ (65%), and their combined (79%) one-question screens. Difficulties identified by parents and nurses were major risks (OR 10–14) for any child psychiatric disorders(P<0.001). The child’s self-evaluation was related to 2-fold to 3-fold risks(P<0.05)for any psychiatric diagnosis, for any emotional diagnosis, and for negative situational factors.Conclusion. The one-question screen for parents and public health nurses together quite adequately identified the young children with mental health problems. The child’s self-evaluation provided relevant and complementary information on his/her mental health and especially emotional problems.

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Public health nurses’ perceptions on promotive and risk factors for children’s mental health: A qualitative interview study

Journal of Advanced Nursing ◽

10.1111/jan.14987 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Outi Savolainen ◽

Marjorita Sormunen ◽

Hannele Turunen

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Mental Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Qualitative Interview ◽

Children’S Mental Health ◽

Interview Study ◽

Children's Mental Health ◽

Public Health Nurses ◽

Qualitative Interview Study ◽

Nurses Perceptions

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Risk of Behavioural and Emotional Disorders in Lithuanian School Aged Children as Assessed with SDQ During the Second Lockdown due to COVID-19

Psichologija ◽

10.15388/psichol.2021.43 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 64 ◽

pp. 77-85

Author(s):

Roma Jusienė ◽

Edita Baukienė ◽

Rima Breidokienė

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Children’S Mental Health ◽

School Closure ◽

Strengths And Difficulties Questionnaire ◽

Children's Mental Health ◽

Emotional And Behavioural Problems ◽

School Aged Children ◽

Strengths And Difficulties

As a result of the outbreak of COVID-19 and consequent restrictions, the distance education was introduced in Lithuania in 2020 spring (the first lockdown, lasted for around 3 months) and 2020 autumn (the second lockdown, still lasting, June 2021). The prevalence of children’s mental health problems during the first lockdown was similar to pre-epidemic rates in Lithuania, but the prolonged lockdown (and therefore school closure) might have more negative consequences on children’s mental health. This study aimed to reveal the incidence of mental health problems as rated by parents with a Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire during the second lockdown in school aged children. This research sample included data of 514 children (46% girls), aged 7 to 14 years old (mean age 10.15 years, SD = 3.47). The children’s mental health problems were assessed using a Lithuanian version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, parental form, in April–May 2021. Results revealed that 29.6% of Lithuanian children had scores in the clinical (abnormal) range of emotional problems and 21.6% – of conduct problems. Based on total difficulties score, 31.6% of children get in clinical range of emotional and behavioural problems, as rated by parents by the end of the second lockdown. The results are compared to pre-pandemic epidemiological rates of emotional and behavioural problems reported and those documented after the first quarantine in Lithuania and highlight important findings for professionals and policy makers about the detrimental effects of prolonged lockdown and school closure on children’s mental health.

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