Seeking help by parents for care regarding the socio-emotional development of preschool children

Abstract

Abstract Background Timely parental help-seeking regarding their child's socio-emotional development is associated with a lower rate and lower severity of psychosocial problems in later life. This study aimed to examine factors associated with parental help-seeking for the socio-emotional development of 3-year-old children. Methods Data of parents and children (n = 1507) from a community sample was analyzed. Thirteen potentially related factors were assessed at baseline at child age 2 years, and classified according to Andersen's Behavioral Model: predisposing, enabling, and need factors. Parental help-seeking and 14 formal and informal care (e.g. General practitioner, internet) used in the past 12 months were measured at follow-up at child age 3 years. Logistic regression was applied. Results In total, 22.6% of parents reported help-seeking for socio-emotional development of their 3-year-old child; 6.8% addressed formal care and 17.5% addressed informal care. General practitioner (2.7%) and family (12.5%) were the most frequently used formal and informal care, respectively. Among predisposing factors associated with a higher odds of parental help-seeking were child's other western background (OR = 1.66, 95%CI: 1.02-2.68) and parental age = < 29 years old (OR = 1.71, 95%CI: 1.01-2.92). No associated factors were found among enabling factors. The need factors associated with a higher odds of parental help-seeking were having previous help-seeking (OR = 2.52, 95%CI: 1.83-3.48) and discussing child's socio-emotional development in the well-child visit (OR = 2.47, 95%CI: 1.73-3.53). Conclusions Predisposing and need factors were associated with parental help-seeking for socio-emotional development of 3-years-old child. The findings can be used to further develop support for parents accessing adequate information, prevention and anticipatory care with regard to the child's socio-emotional development. Key messages The study longitudinally investigated parental help-seeking for socio-emotional development of their 3-year old children in a large community sample. The study makes an important contribution to the existing literature on this topic because of its particularly young sample of 3-year-old children.