Relationship of Children's Emotional and Behavioral Disorders With Health Care Utilization and Missed School.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD), missed school days and health care visits while controlling for sociodemographic factors, and comorbid medical conditions in a nationally representative sample.

METHODS

Data from the 2016 National Health Interview Survey were used to assess the associations between EBD, in children aged 4 to 11 and 12 to 17 years, on missed days of school, health care office visits, and emergency department visits. EBD was assessed utilizing a validated screener. Multiple logistic regression was used to control for comorbid medical conditions and sociodemographic factors.

RESULTS

Adolescents who screened positive for anxiety, depression, peer problems, and severe impairment had 4 to 8 times the odds of missing more school than their peers that screened negative. Young children with anxiety had 4 times increased odds of missing more school whereas positive emotional and behavioral health was protective against missing school. Young children and adolescents who screened positive for anxiety, depression, and severe impairment had 3 to 6 and 2 to 4 times the odds of more office visits respectively. Emergency department utilization was significantly increased in adolescents with anxiety and younger children with severe impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that children with EBD are more likely to have increased office visits and missed days of school, even after adjusting for sociodemographic factors and comorbid medical conditions. Recognition of early associations of EBD can create an opportunity for early identification of children with EBD in the pediatric practice.