Tarren-Sweeney Michael, Hazell Philip
Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medical Practice and Population Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
J Paediatr Child Health. 2006 Mar;42(3):89-97. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2006.00804.x.
To report baseline mental health measures from the Children in Care study, a prospective epidemiological study of children in court-ordered foster and kinship care in New South Wales, Australia.
Mental health, socialization and self-esteem were assessed in 347 children in a statewide mail survey, using two carer-report checklists, the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Assessment Checklist for Children (ACC).
Children in the study had exceptionally poor mental health and socialization, both in absolute terms, and relative to normative and in-care samples. Levels and rates of disturbance for children in foster care exceeded all prior estimates. Rates of disturbance for children in kinship care were high, but within the range of prior estimates. Boys presented with higher scope and severity of mental health problems than girls on the CBCL, while gender-specific patterns of disturbance were shown on the ACC. A moderate age effect was accounted for by children's age at entry into care.
Children in care are at high risk of mental health problems. Psychological support for the children and their carers is an essential secondary prevention strategy. Implications for service delivery are discussed.
报告“受照料儿童研究”中的心理健康基线测量数据，该研究是一项针对澳大利亚新南威尔士州处于法庭指定寄养和亲属照料中的儿童开展的前瞻性流行病学研究。
通过全州范围的邮件调查，使用两份照料者报告清单，即儿童行为清单（CBCL）和儿童评估清单（ACC），对347名儿童的心理健康、社交能力和自尊进行评估。
无论是从绝对水平来看，还是相对于正常样本和在照料样本而言，该研究中的儿童心理健康和社交能力都异常糟糕。寄养儿童的困扰水平和发生率超过了之前所有的估计。亲属照料儿童的困扰发生率很高，但在之前估计的范围内。在儿童行为清单上，男孩出现心理健康问题的范围和严重程度高于女孩，而在儿童评估清单上则呈现出特定性别的困扰模式。进入照料时儿童的年龄对年龄效应有一定影响。
受照料儿童存在心理健康问题的高风险。为儿童及其照料者提供心理支持是一项至关重要的二级预防策略。文中还讨论了对服务提供的影响。
