Comparison of the Prevalence of Mental Health Problems in Deaf and Hearing Children and Adolescents in Australia

2010 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 351-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria D. Remine ◽  
P. Margaret Brown

Objective: The aims of the present study were to (i) identify the prevalence rate and nature of mental health problems in a group of Australian deaf children and adolescents and compare these to those reported for the Australian hearing population; and (ii) identify specific demographic characteristics that may typify deaf children and adolescents with mental health problems. Method: Sixty-six parents of deaf children and adolescents aged 6–18 years, their teachers and 38 adolescents participated in the study. Data related to mental health problems were collected using the Child Behaviour Checklist and Youth Self-Report. Data related to demographic characteristics were obtained via parent and teacher surveys. Results: The overall prevalence rate of mental health problems reported by parents and adolescents in the present study is comparable to that of the Australian hearing population. Parents in the present study, however, reported significantly more concerns on the social problem and thought problem scales than did Australian parents of hearing children and adolescents. There were also significant differences between the prevalence and nature of mental health problems as reported by the deaf adolescents in the present study when compared to deaf adolescents in another Australian study. These differences appear to be explained by differences in the preferred communication mode of the participants in the two studies. Conclusions: The known heterogeneity within the Australian deaf child and adolescent population with respect to preferred mode of communication has important implications not only for the appropriate selection and use of psychiatric instruments in assessing child and adolescent mental health but also for the accurate reporting of the prevalence and nature of mental health problems within this population.

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristiane Duarte ◽  
Christina Hoven ◽  
Carlos Berganza ◽  
Isabel Bordin ◽  
Hector Bird ◽  
...  

Objective: This report reviews population studies of child and adolescent mental health carried out in Latin America over the past 15 years. Also considered is the issue of how to meet the needs of children and adolescents who may present mental health problems in Latin America, given that most of them live in poverty in economies that are underdeveloped, providing limited resources. Method: Ten studies from six different countries were identified that employed some form of randomized sampling method and used standardized instruments for assessment. The authors present a summary of the main characteristics of these studies, highlighting methodological features that may account for differences in the rates obtained. Results: Overall, a similar pattern of prevalence and risk factors for mental health problems in children and adolescents in Latin American countries emerged. Moreover, rates of disorders in these children are similar to the 15 to 20% found in other countries. These findings are similar to those observed when adult mental health problems are considered. Prevention and treatment strategies are discussed and the peculiarities of the delivery of mental health services for children and adolescents are explored. Conclusions: Future research needs to focus on understanding of resilience and formal and informal mental health delivery systems of care available in different Latin American countries. Such research has high potential for ameliorating the prevention and treatment of child and adolescent mental health problems in this region of the world.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 15-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenyan Jiao ◽  
Lin Liu ◽  
Rui Li ◽  
Na Zhao

In China, the psychological health problems of children and adolescents have been more and more serious recently. The psychological disorders not only have a lot of adverse effects for children and adolescents, but also were an important source of mental disease in adulthood. In order to make more people understand this serious problem, this paper summarized the current situation of child and adolescent mental health problems in China and the risk factors for child and adolescent mental health problems; additionally, the interventions of child and adolescent psychological problems were also reviewed in this paper.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol. 7(3) 2016 15-17


Author(s):  
Ulrike Ravens-Sieberer ◽  
Anne Kaman ◽  
Michael Erhart ◽  
Christiane Otto ◽  
Janine Devine ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of children and adolescents worldwide. The German COPSY study is among the first population-based longitudinal studies to examine the mental health impact of the pandemic. The objective of the study was to assess changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and mental health in children and adolescents and to identify the associated risk and resource factors during the pandemic. Methods A nationwide longitudinal survey was conducted with two waves during the pandemic (May/June 2020 and December 2020/January 2021). In total, n = 1923 children and adolescents aged 7 to 17 years and their parents participated (retention rate from wave 1 to wave 2: 85%). The self-report and parent-proxy surveys assessed HRQoL (KIDSCREEN-10), mental health problems (SDQ with the subscales emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity, and peer problems), anxiety (SCARED), depressive symptoms (CES-DC, PHQ-2) and psychosomatic complaints (HBSC-SCL). Mixed model panel regression analyses were conducted to examine longitudinal changes in mental health and to identify risk and resource factors. Results The HRQoL of children and adolescents decreased during the pandemic, and emotional problems, peer-related mental health problems, anxiety, depressive and psychosomatic symptoms increased over time, however the change in global mental health problems from wave 1 to wave 2 was not significant, and some changes were negligible. Socially disadvantaged children and children of mentally burdened parents were at particular risk of impaired mental health, while female gender and older age were associated with fewer mental health problems. A positive family climate and social support supported the mental health of children and adolescents during the pandemic. Discussion Health promotion, prevention and intervention strategies could support children and adolescents in coping with the pandemic and protect and maintain their mental health.


2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 175-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Sessa ◽  
Hilary Sutherland

SummaryRates of developmental delay, autism and mental illness in deaf children are higher than in hearing children. Early language acquisition (signed or spoken) is a protective factor against mental disorder. Deaf children and their families are often given conflicting messages and advice about their upbringing and many are unable to access generic child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). We describe the National Deaf CAMHS, a service that has been set up to answer the needs of this group of patients. It uses specialist intervention which incorporates some aspects of Deaf awareness to empower deaf children and reduce the burden of mental health problems that are likely to accompany them into and throughout their adulthood.


Author(s):  
Herbert E. Ainamani ◽  
Godfrey Z. Rukundo ◽  
Timothy Nduhukire ◽  
Eunice Ndyareba ◽  
Tobias Hecker

Abstract Background Child maltreatment poses high risks to the mental health and cognitive functioning of children not only in childhood but also in later life. However, it remains unclear whether child maltreatment is directly associated with impaired cognitive functioning or whether this link is mediated by mental health problems. Our study aimed at examining this research question among children and adolescents in Uganda. Methods A sample of 232 school-going children and adolescents with a mean age of 14.03 (SD = 3.25) was assessed on multiple forms of maltreatment using the Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology Exposure—Pediatric Version (pediMACE). Executive functions were assessed by the Tower of London task and working memory by the Corsi Block Tapping task, while mental health problems were assessed using the Child PTSD Symptom Scale for PTSD and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC). Results In total, 232 (100%) of the participant reported to have experienced at least one type of maltreatment in their lifetime including emotional, physical, and sexual violence as well as neglect. We found a negative association between child maltreatment and executive functions (β = − 0.487, p < 0.001) and working memory (β = − 0.242, p = 0.001). Mental health problems did not mediate this relationship. Conclusions Child maltreatment seems to be related to lower working memory and executive functioning of affected children and adolescents even after controlling for potential cofounders. Our study indicates that child maltreatment the affects children’s cognitive functionality beyond health and well-being.


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