Parental mental health screening in a neuropaediatric sample: Psychometric properties of the Everyday Feeling Questionnaire and variables associated with parental mental health.

Abstract

Many previous studies have highlighted distress in parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Further knowledge about the relationship between parental mental health and children's characteristics could help neuropaediatric services improve treatment. The current study examined the applicability of the Everyday Feeling Questionnaire (EFQ) as a screening tool for parental mental health in a neuropaediatric sample. Children and adolescents (N=299) referred to neurodevelopmental/neurological assessment at neuropaediatric outpatient clinics in Northern Norway were assessed for concurrent mental health problems; one of their parents completed the EFQ. The EFQ items loaded highly on a general mental health factor. Parental mental health was more strongly associated with child functional impairment than child emotional/conduct difficulties; it was not associated with child neurodevelopmental disorders. The EFQ is a suitable screening tool for parental mental health in a neuropaediatric population. Child functional impairment seems an important predictor of parental mental health.