Lee Eric J, Keyes Katherine, Bitfoi Adina, Mihova Zlatka, Pez Ondine, Yoon Elisha, Masfety Viviane Kovess
BMC Psychiatry. 2014 Nov 18;14:297. doi: 10.1186/s12888-014-0297-5.
The Roma population, one of the largest minority groups in Europe, experience discrimination and stigma associated with marginalized social position. Few studies have examined mental illnesses in the Roma, and none have examined the Roma children. The present study estimates mental health and behavioral disorders among Roma children in comparison to non-Roma children in educational institutions.
Data were drawn from the School Children Mental Health Study in Europe (SCHME) study in Romania (Roma children identified by parent report, N = 70; non-Roma, N = 925) and Bulgaria (Roma children identified by exclusively-Roma schools, N = 65; non-Roma, N = 1312). The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was given to the parents and teachers to measure child mental health; children reported on their mental health through the Dominique Interactive. Control covariates included child sex and age, and parental characteristics when parent reports were available.
Based on the child's own report, Roma children had a higher odds of any internalizing disorder (OR = 2.99, 95% C.I. 2.07-4.30), phobias (OR = 4.84, 95% C.I. 3.19-7.35), separation anxiety disorder (OR = 2.54, 95% C.I. 1.72-3.76), generalized anxiety disorder (OR = 2.95, 95% C.I. 1.75-4.96), and major depressive disorder (OR = 3.86, 95% C.I. 2.31-6.37). Further Roma children had a higher odds of any externalizing disorder (OR = 2.84, 95% C.I. 1.78-4.54), oppositional defiant disorder (OR = 3.35, 95% C.I. 1.93-5.82), ADHD (OR = 2.37, 95% C.I. 1.26-4.46), and conduct disorder (OR = 3.63, 95% C.I. 2.04-6.46). Based on the report of teachers, Roma children had higher odds of emotional problems (OR = 2.03, 95% C.I. 1.20-3.44), peer-relational problems (OR = 2.76, 95% C.I. 1.73-4.41) and prosocial behavior (OR = 2.75, 95% C.I. 1.75-4.33).
Roma children experience a higher burden of mental health problems compared with their non-Roma counterparts. Attention to child health and mental health among the Roma is urgently needed, as these children experience a constellation of health problems associated with poverty as well as experiences of stigma and discrimination.
罗姆人是欧洲最大的少数群体之一，遭受着与边缘化社会地位相关的歧视和污名化。很少有研究调查罗姆人的精神疾病，且尚无研究关注罗姆儿童。本研究旨在评估教育机构中罗姆儿童与非罗姆儿童相比的心理健康状况和行为障碍。
数据来自罗马尼亚的欧洲儿童心理健康研究（SCHME）（通过家长报告确定的罗姆儿童，N = 70；非罗姆儿童，N = 925）以及保加利亚的该研究（通过罗姆人专属学校确定的罗姆儿童，N = 65；非罗姆儿童，N = 1312）。通过向家长和教师发放优势与困难问卷来评估儿童心理健康；儿童通过多米尼克互动问卷报告自身心理健康状况。控制协变量包括儿童性别和年龄，以及有家长报告时的家长特征。
根据儿童自身报告，罗姆儿童出现任何内化障碍（比值比[OR] = 2.99，95%置信区间[C.I.] 2.07 - 4.30）、恐惧症（OR = 4.84，95% C.I. 3.19 - 用7.35）、分离焦虑障碍（OR = 2.54，95% C.I. 1.72 - 3.76）、广泛性焦虑障碍（OR = 2.95，95% C.I. 1.75 - 4.96）和重度抑郁症（OR = 3.86，95% C.I. 2.31 - 6.37）的几率更高。此外，罗姆儿童出现任何外化障碍（OR = 2.84，95% C.I. 1.78 - 4.54）、对立违抗障碍（OR = 3.35，95% C.I. 1.93 - 5.82）、注意缺陷多动障碍（ADHD）（OR = 2.37，95% C.I. 1.26 - 4.46）和品行障碍（OR = 3.63，95% C.I. 2.04 - 6.46）的几率更高。根据教师报告，罗姆儿童出现情绪问题（OR = 2.03，95% C.I. 1.20 - 3.44）、同伴关系问题（OR = 2.76，95% C.I. 1.73 - 4.41）和亲社会行为（OR = 2.75，95% C.I. 1.75 - 4.33）的几率更高。
与非罗姆儿童相比，罗姆儿童面临更高的心理健康问题负担。迫切需要关注罗姆儿童的健康和心理健康，因为这些儿童面临一系列与贫困相关的健康问题以及污名化和歧视经历。
