[Psychological health at school entrance].

INTRODUCTION

The rate of psychiatric disorders in childhood and adolescence was investigated in numerous studies and was found to be between 10% and 18%, boys having more problems to tackle than girls. These studies often concern school-age children, but it is sure that psychiatric disorders already occur in early childhood. In the present study, mental health was assessed in children of Jena, who were starting with school. A comparison with methodologically similar studies in Heidelberg and Cologne was possible.

METHODS

The study was conducted in cooperation with the health department of Jena. Parents had to fill in the CBCL (Child Behaviour Checklist), which assesses behavioural disturbances and social competence. Participation was voluntary and anonymous.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

From the total population of 1039 children 749 (72.0%) checklists were filled in by the parents. 674 (64.9%) checklists were completely filled in and included in the study. 86 out of 674 (64.9%) of the children had a psychiatric disorder, boys (13.4%) more often than girls (12.2%), especially in the scales "Externalizing disorders", "delinquent behaviour", "aggressive behaviour" and "attention deficit disorders". Children coming from certain areas (Lobeda, Winzerla) had not have more disturbances than children from the central part of the city. Only 8.1% of the parents of children with psychiatric disorders recognise such problems, and only 16.3% of these children had a visit with a physician or psychologist within the last year. This leads to the conclusion, that the sensitivity for psychiatric disorders of children must be improved.